The spotlight now turns to Gilas Pilipinas Youth as they brace for a decisive clash against Indonesia in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers final on Friday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center. With both squads already clinching spots in the main tournament set for Mongolia this July, the 7 p.m. tip-off will decide who reigns supreme in Southeast Asia youth basketball.

Under the guidance of LA Tenorio, the Filipinos head into the finals undefeated, but their earlier 77-68 group stage win over Indonesia revealed concerns about transition defense and discipline — issues that could prove costly in a high-stakes title game.

Gilas Youth faces tough rematch with Indonesia in finals

Indonesia, now holding a 4-1 record, is fired up for redemption. After their lone loss to the Philippines, the Indonesian squad bounced back with a commanding 74-51 win over Vietnam, fueled by a dominant 26-13 first quarter and a stifling 20-6 third period.

The Philippines likewise secured a 101-50 blowout against Malaysia, but not without early hiccups. A 7-all tie in the opening minutes raised red flags before a 13-0 run helped the team seize control. Still, signs of mental lapses surfaced — most notably during a missed Malaysian free throw that led to an unchallenged putback due to poor awareness and boxing out.

Despite those lapses, individual performances covered gaps. Travis Pascual and Jeremiah Antolin each scored 15 points, Evereigne Cruz added 14, and Prince Carino delivered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Luisito Pascual and Mark Lumagub added 10 points apiece. The squad dished out 27 assists, though Tenorio was quick to highlight the 20 turnovers as an area needing urgent attention.

“It’s not about scoring. They can do that,” Tenorio said. “It’s about playing within the system — that’s the challenge. Even today, we had to remind them at halftime they’re not playing at a finals level yet.”

Asia Cup berth secured, but pride and momentum at stake

While Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand have already qualified for the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup, the gold medal match remains crucial. Beyond the medal, it’s a measure of regional dominance and preparation for tougher tests against giants like Australia and China, perennial contenders in the tournament.

Adding to the intensity was the presence of top sports figures in the crowd, including PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Norman Black. De Ocampo, a former national youth standout himself, underscored the importance of global exposure.

“They need more games, more experience abroad. That’s where they’ll improve,” said De Ocampo. “With all the sponsors coming in, now’s the time to invest in grassroots.”

As Gilas Youth prepares for their biggest game yet, the team isn’t just playing for gold — they’re representing the future of Philippine basketball on a regional stage.