Gilas Youth saw its 2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup championship aspirations end after falling to unbeaten China, 117-103, in the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon.
The loss sends the young Gilas squad into the classification phase of the tournament and ended their hopes of directly qualifying for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
China Takes Control Early
The Philippines started brightly, briefly holding a 5-1 lead, but China quickly turned the game around. Zichao Wang’s fast-break layup gave China its first lead at 7-5, sparking a decisive offensive surge.
China went on an 11-0 run and closed the opening period with a 33-20 advantage. The Chinese continued to dictate the tempo in the second quarter, taking a 59-45 lead into halftime.
The Filipinos tried to stay within striking distance after the break, but China’s perimeter shooting and size proved too much to overcome.
China connected on 17 three-pointers, shooting 52 percent from beyond the arc compared to the Philippines’ 39 percent. The Chinese also stretched their lead to as many as 24 points in the third quarter.
Wang led the charge with 25 points, including six triples, while Yuxiu Chen added 23 points and six assists. Xuan Hao and Yizhaojie Zhang chipped in 16 points apiece, with Hao also grabbing eight rebounds.
China’s offensive dominance allowed it to maintain a comfortable cushion heading into the final quarter.
Philippines Shows Puso Until the End
Gilas Youth refused to fold, winning the fourth quarter and briefly trimming China’s lead during a late push.
A 6-0 run cut the deficit from 91-68 to 91-74, but China quickly regained control. The closest the Philippines came was within 14 points, leaving the Chinese with enough breathing room to secure the win.
China advances to the semifinals unbeaten after five games, continuing its pursuit of the U18 Asia Cup crown.
Kenji Yob Moral delivered his best performance of the tournament, leading Gilas Youth with 26 points and six steals. Luke Atacador added 14 points, while Ethan Aguas and JB Cagurungan scored 12 apiece. George Aidan Green finished with 11 points.
The Philippines capitalized on China’s mistakes, converting 16 turnovers into 26 points and holding a 34-26 edge in fast-break points. Still, those advantages were not enough to offset China’s efficient shooting.
Gilas Youth Moves to Classification Phase
The Philippines will now compete in the classification round for fifth through eighth place, aiming to close the tournament on a strong note.
Gilas Youth went 2-1 in the group phase, winning against Chinese Taipei and Thailand but losing to Australia. The Philippines also prevailed in the Qualification to Playoffs, defeating Syria to advance to the quarterfinals.
Gilas Pilipinas Youth will next face the loser of the quarterfinal matchup between New Zealand and Japan. Their final game of the tournament is set for Saturday, August 22.
