Gilas Pilipinas Youth players celebrate after beating Indonesia, 70-40, in the gold medal match of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga on Friday (May 30, 2025). The nationals swept the tournament with an average winning margin of 39 points. (Photo courtesy of SBP)
Gilas Pilipinas Youth reaffirmed the Philippines’ basketball supremacy in Southeast Asia with a commanding performance at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers, capping off an unbeaten run with a 70-40 victory over Indonesia on Friday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
The young Filipino squad came out firing, opening the championship game with a dominant 21-5 start in the first quarter and extending their lead to 41-20 by halftime. They maintained their momentum throughout, building a lead as large as 34 points in the third quarter.
Carl Gabriel delos Reyes powered the team to gold with a double-double performance, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Jhustin Hallare led the scoring with 13 points. Delos Reyes was later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Indonesia struggled offensively, with Miracle Christiano leading their effort with nine points and three rebounds — no Indonesian player reached double figures.
Guided by first-time head coach and former Gilas standout LA Tenorio, the Philippine squad completed a flawless 6-0 campaign, boasting an average winning margin of 39 points per game.
With the victory, the Philippines secures a spot in the upcoming FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia this July, where they will be joined by fellow Southeast Asian teams Indonesia and Malaysia.
