Gilas Pilipinas Youth during the Fiba Under 16 Asia Cup against Bahrain. –FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Youth made history on Thursday, but not the kind it wanted.
For the first time since joining the Fiba U16 Asia Cup, the Philippines failed to reach the quarterfinals after falling to Bahrain, 79-66, at MBank Arena in Mongolia.
READ: Gilas Youth faces same situation as its older brothers in Asia Cup
For 16 years, Gilas Youth—formerly Batang Gilas—finished at least in the Top 8 of the U16 continental competition.
That streak ended after the squad closed out this year’s tournament with a 1-3 record in LA Tenorio’s debut as head coach.
Tenorio, though, remained positive after the setback.
“This loss doesn’t define us; it’s a stepping stone for greater things ahead,” he said in an Instagram post.
READ: Gilas Youth posts first win vs Indonesia, eyes streak vs tough Kiwis
In the loss to Bahrain during the quarterfinal qualifying, Luisito Joel Pascual was the lone Gilas player in double figures with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Jhustin Hallare and Everaigne Cruz added nine and eight points, respectively.
Mohamed Adel Abdulla exploded for 22 points for Bahrain while the trio of Ali Husain Mohamed, Hussain Fuad Moosa Sharaf Ghuloom and Hassan Oshobuge Abdulkadir all scored 15 in the victory.
Bahrain will clash with China in the next phase of the U16 Asia Cup.
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With the loss, Gilas Youth’s campaign came to a premature close as the team heads home without a quarterfinal appearance for the first time.
