Philippine belles bump off Indonesians in Asian elite cast

MANILA, Philippines —  Newly-crowned Division B champion Gilas Pilipinas women have been promoted to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup elite group, taking over the spot of Indonesia.

And fresh from their championship run in Shenzhen, China, coach Julie Amos and the rest of the team headed by captain Ava Fajardo will be gracing the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Philippine belles claimed the Division B crown following a five-game sweep of the meet, capped by a 95-64 rout of Lebanon in the finale at the Futian Sports Park.

The journey of these gritty girls began at the PSA Forum where they guested a month ago as the team was to embark on its campaign in the SEABA U18 tournament in Ratchaburi, Thailand that served as qualifier to the Asia Cup.

Presented by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app, the program starts at 11 a.m.

The Philippines is taking the spot of Indonesia in Division A in the next Asia Cup with the Indonesians suffering a 67-66 overtime defeat against Malaysia in the relegation match.

Australia drubbed China, 96-79, to retain the title as Japan took home the bronze after a 69-54 win over South Korea.

Meanwhile,Gilas suffered another blowout loss in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup yesterday in Istanbul, Turkey.

Team Philippines was mauled by world No. 2 Spain, 96-34, after an earlier 107-48 rout by world No. 7 Lithuania.

Up next for Gilas is fellow winless but world No. 15 Puerto Rico.