Gilas youth bombs out vs Lebanon

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas missed out on a World Cup berth, crashing out of the FIBA U18 Asian Championship with a tough 99-83 loss against Lebanon in the quarterfinals yesterday at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran, Iran.

After sweeping the group stage, the Nationals turned a bit sloppy and failed to make it past the Last 8.

Incidentally, only the semifinalists get to advance in the FIBA U19 World Cup next year in Hungary.

Filipino-Australian wingman Mason Amos had 11 points to lead Gilas but it was a far cry from his 24-point average in the first three games against Syria, Qatar and Chinese Taipei.

Kyle Gamber added 10 for the Gilas boys, who trailed by as many as 37 points at 93-56.

Gilas shot only 35 percent from the field including a paltry 9-of-23 conversion from downtown, compared to Lebanon’s hot-shooting built around 17 treys.

Mentored by Josh Reyes, Gilas failed to replicate the Final Four finish of the Kai Sotto-led team in the 2018 edition to qualify in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Relegated to the fight for fifth-to-eight classification matches, Gilas youth will be next up against the loser between the quarterfinal pairing of Japan and Chinese Taipei.