Batang Gilas destroyed Syria, 112-48, to bag its first win in the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran Sunday evening (Manila time).
The Philippines went on a 20-6 tear at the start of the first quarter and never looked back as it chalked up a win in Group C, joining Chinese Taipei on top with identical 1-0 win-loss records.
The Batang Gilas roster had everybody lighting up the scoreboard in the lopsided victory.
Gilas’ tenacious defense forced a whopping 39 turnovers from the Syrian side with 29 of them coming from steals.
The Philippines was also relentless with 11 blocks compared to Syria’s two rejections.
Mason Amos, who celebrated his 18th birthday during Batang Gilas’ first game day, led the Philippines with 26 points off an
11-of-15 shooting clip while Earl Jared Abadam dropped 19 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Seven Gagate almost had a double-double night with 19 points and nine boards to go along with his two steals and two blocks.
George Kastntin was the lone Syrian to reach double digits with 12.
As of press time, Gilas are facing a Qatar side that is hoping to get its first win.
The Qataris are coming off a 34-point defeat as Chinese Taipei demolished them, 96-62, last Sunday.
The top four finishers in this competition will qualify for the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup next year in Hungary
