Gilas Youth lose all seven games by an average of 51.3 points

PHOTO: FIBA.BASKETBALL

GILAS Pilipinas Youth finished dead last in the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup after a 115-53 beating at the hands of Australia on Sunday in Istanbul, Turkey.

The demoralized nationals suffered their seventh straight lopsided loss, this time by 62 points, to finish at the bottom of the 16 teams which qualified in the event.

The Philippines lost all seven games by an average margin of 51.3 points.

This year was Gilas Youth’s return to the U17 World Cup after failing to qualify in 2022 in Malaga, Spain. The Philippines, with Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo in the squad, placed 13th out of 16 teams in 2018 in Argentina.

Edryn Morales had 17 points and nine rebounds, while Joaquin Ludovice had 10 points, six assists, and three steals for Gilas Youth.

Dash Daniels, younger brother of NBA player Dyson, had 28 points and six steals to lead Australia.