Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 remained undefeated in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup Division B tournament.
Only one win separate Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 squad and Division A promotion.
The young Filipinas rode a dominating fourth quarter to put away a pesky Samoa squad, 71-47, to advance into the championship round of the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B.
Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 were made to work against the Samoans early on, but managed to pull away late thanks to a 22-8 fourth quarter that sealed the win.
Ava Fajardo led the way for Team Philippines with 19 points, including 12 in the second half. Tournament standouts Naomi Panganiban, Alicia Villanueva, and Sophia Canido combined for 34 markers and 19 rebounds in another masterful win.
They overcame a poor shooting night behind a stellar defensive masterclass, collecting 26 steals and forcing 31 Samoan turnovers which were converted to 28 points. The Nationals also outrun their opponents thanks to a 29-8 advantage in fast break points.
A 10-2 start in the fourth opened up an 18-point lead for Team Philippines at 59-41, and they never looked back for a third straight convincing win.
The Gilas Girls started flat, missing the first seven of their eight shots, but found their offensive groove with a 13-0 run--bridging the end of the opening frame to the start of the second--to build a 21-5 lead. But Samoa responded with a 16-4 run, trimming Gilas Women U18’s lead to single digits at 25-21 with 3:24 seconds left in the second frame.
Team Philippines led 31-23 at halftime.
Mylaani Shay Siolosega Sione top scored for Samoa with 18 points and eight rebounds as Kira-May Filemu chipped in a double-double of 12 points and 17 boards.
Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 started the tournament with two convincing wins, walloping both Maldives and Lebanon before earning a groups stage sweep with Syria’s forfeiture in their last game.
The Filipinas will face either Iran or Lebanon in the championship round on Sunday, June 30.
[ALSO READ: Coach Julie Amos sees bright future for Gilas Women U18 in strong run during FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup Division B]