The Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Under-17 basketball team exited the 2024 FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup on a sour note.
The squad, coached by Josh Reyes, continued their downfall on the world stage after absorbing a 62-point beatdown against Australia, 115-53, in the classification phase on Sunday, July 7, at the Ahmet Comert Sports Hall in Turkey.
This was the Philippines’ seventh defeat in as many games.
They previously lost to Lithuania, Spain, Puerto Rico, Team USA, Argentina, and China.
Including their final loss to Australia, their losses came with an average deficit of 51.3 points.
They finished last in the 16-team field.
Edryn Morales led the nationals with 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while next to him was Joaquin Ludovice, who posted 10 markers, six assists and two boards.
Only ahead by three, 10-7, after a triple by Irus Chua with still 7:32 remaining in the opener, the Australians scored nine consecutive points in a span of a minute and 33 seconds to suddenly build a 12-point cushion.
This eventually grew to a 15-point lead at the end of the first, but the worst is yet to come for the Philippines.
Young Aussie stars Dash Daniels, Nash Walker, Joel Robinson, and Alexander Dickeson took turns in dismantling Gilas in the next three periods, and helping their cause was their hot shooting from beyond the arc (16/38, 42 percent), while also having their way inside the paint and having a 64-22 advantage over the Philippines.
Australia also dominated the glass, 51-33, and their defense resulted in the young Filipino ballers committing 24 turnovers.
Daniels led Australia with 28 points, six steals, four rebounds, and four assists. Walker followed with 18 on top of four boards and a block, while Robinson and Dickeson each scored 11. (ABS-CBN News)
AUSTRALIA 115 — Daniels 28, Walker 18, Robinson 11, Dickeson 11, Akhuar 9, Beauchamp 8, Nyuon 8, Pilimai 6, Sewell 6, Kuany 5, Cheesman 5.
PHILIPPINES 53 — Morales 17, Ludovice 10, Chua 9, Daja 6, Velasquez 3, Arejola 2, Alegre 2, Amos 2, Banal 2, Williams 0, Diao 0, Gomez de Liaño 0.
Quarterscores: 31-16, 56-27, 88-40, 115-53.