by Ashley Bercasio
After suffering a shock loss against Samoa, Gilas Pilipinas bounced back and defeated Lebanon in the battle for third place, 90-68, on Thursday, June 30, to end its 2022 FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship Division B campaign in Amman, Jordan.
Trailing by two points by the first quarter’s end, the Philippines outscored Lebanon by 21 in the second and third periods to register a 67-48 advantage going into the payoff period.
The national squad then launched a blistering 14-1 blast to start the fourth quarter that saw Gilas’ lead balloon to as much as 32 points.
Gabriella Ramos and Kristan Geyl Yumul led the Gilas in scoring with 20 apiece while Naomi Panganiban chipped in 16.
Angelina Marie Bado led all Lebanese scorers with 19 markers.
Meanwhile, Samoa went on to win the tournament after defeating Syria in the finals, 79-76.
With the win, Samoa earned a promotion to Division A. –bny
