MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas women’s team secured their spot in Division A of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup after dominating their opponents in Division B. In a commanding performance, Gilas Pilipinas clinched the Division B title with a resounding 95-64 victory over Lebanon in the championship game held at the Futian Sports Park in China. This win marked their fifth consecutive victory in Division B, solidifying their promotion to Division A for the next edition of the tournament.
Led by coach Julie Amos, the Gilas belles showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, including a notable 89-63 win over Lebanon in the group phase. Alyssa Kae Rodriguez stood out with 22 points, supported by strong performances from Alicia Margarett Villanueva and Naomi Natalie Panganiban who contributed 15 and 13 points respectively. The team’s unstoppable momentum was evident in their 33-9 run in the second period, sealing their victory against Lebanon.
The Philippines’ success at the U18 Women’s Asia Cup adds to the country’s achievements in women’s basketball, with the Gilas program excelling in the seniors, U16, and U18 divisions. In addition to Gilas’ triumph, Lebanon secured a silver medal with Reem El Ghali and Maygen Naassan leading the scoring. Samoa claimed the bronze medal after defeating Iran 64-59, with Peata Manumaleuga impressing with 22 points.
The Gilas Pilipinas women’s remarkable performance in Division B serves as a testament to their talent and determination, positioning them as formidable contenders in Division A competition.
