Gilas boys fall to Spain

MANILA,  Philippine – A day after being demolished by 59 points, Gilas Pilipinas boys absorbed a 96-34 beatdown against World no. 2 Spain in the FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkiye Sunday night (Manila time). 

Maximo Garcia-Plata had 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Spain. Guillermo del Pino added 14, while Ignacio Campoy and Eric del Castillo poured in 13 markers apiece. 

It was a complete showcase of dominance by Spain, which scored 16 straight points to set the tone early. 

Wacky Ludovice made a layup at the 5:17 mark of the first quarter, which was the only points of Gilas in the frame as the Spaniards took a 30-2 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.

It was more of the same in the second quarter, as Spain continued its onslaught, taking a 57-13 lead heading into the half. 

The Spaniards continued to run circles around the Filipinos until the buzzer sounded, as the lead just grew and grew. 

The 62-point spread at the end of the game was the second largest margin of the tournament thus far, as Team USA led by as much as 77 points against Guinea also on Sunday. 

The Americans eventually won by 75 points, 124-49. 

However, Gilas’ 34 points is the least amount of points scored in a game so far in two game days. 

Bonn Daja paced the Philippines with 12 points and five rebounds. He was the only Filipino in double figures, followed by Ludovice’s seven markers. 

Gilas, which is playing without star guard Kieffer Alas, will face Puerto Rico next on Tuesday. 

Both teams are still winless in the tourney.