Turnover-plagued Gilas Youth falls to Chinese Taipei in FIBA U16 Asia Cup opener

Prince Cariño lacks sufficient support as Gilas Youth drops its first game in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup, largely due to turnover troubles

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Youth got off to a rough start in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup after a 106-82 beating from Chinese Taipei at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Mongolia on Sunday, August 31.

Prince Cariño lacked sufficient support as one of only two Filipino players in double-digit scoring with 23 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting as the Philippines fell to 0-1 in Group B.

The boys of coach LA Tenorio fell behind early, trailing 10-21 with less than six minutes into the game, and played catchup the rest of the way, unable to overcome a deficit that swelled as big as 30 points.

Wang I-le showed the way in the win with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Hsiao Cheng-Che and Lu Shu-Wei had 13 and 10 points, respectively, as the Taiwanese gained a share of the lead in the group with New Zealand.

Jeremiah Antolin Jr. ended up as the only other Gilas Youth player in twin-figure scoring with 11 points on top of 7 rebounds.

The Philippines actually shot better from the field (44.78% to 43.96%), grabbed more rebounds (55 to 37), and dished out more assists (24 to 22), but it shot itself in the foot by coughing up 36 turnovers, 20 more than its foes. 

Chinese Taipei converted those turnovers to 35 points, which were one-third of its overall output. 

Ethan Tan-Chi and Everaigne Cruz added 9 points each in the loss, while Brian Orca Jr. contributed 7 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Up next for Gilas Youth on Monday, September 1, is Indonesia, which absorbed a worse 96-54 demolition from New Zealand earlier in the day.

The Philippines needs at least a top-three finish to advance, with the No. 1 team directly making the final eight and the No. 2 and 3 squads reaching the qualification to quarterfinals. – Rappler.com