Gilas Pilipinas Youth started their campaign in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 on a great note as they relied on their tenacious defense to take down Indonesia, 75-48, in Amman, Jordan.

Andy Gemao was seen to be one of the leaders of the squad until a hand fracture took him out of the tournament. Gilas filled his absence together with great effort on both ends of the floor.

After a tight first quarter that saw Gilas only leading by one point, 15-14, they upped their game in the second period and never looked back. On defense, they shackled Indonesia, allowing them to score only two points in the entire period.

On offense, it was Wilhalm Lawrence Cabonilas who led the attack as he poured in 13 of his game-high 19 points in the 1st half.

Bayu Prayoga Putra scored the lone field goal for Indonesia to inch them closer, 22-16, with 6:19 remaining in the second period. Cabonilas then started a massive 16-0 counterattack that broke the game wide open and gave Gilas a 38-16 halftime lead.

Cabonilas then made it a 19-0 run as he opened the second half with a triple.

Carl Vincent Ong’s layup to start the final period gave Gilas their biggest lead of the game at 36 points, 65-29, allowing them to coast to an easy victory.

Nicholash Drei Lorenzo added 12 points for Gilas with John Earl Medina chipping in 11 markers. The two waxed hot from the three-point range, combining for an efficient 7 of 11 from downtown.

Marc Daniel Burgos and Johnkurl Figueroa were defensive anchors for the Philippines as they combined for seven blocks against Indonesia.

Next up for the Philippines will be the home squad Jordan on September 4 at 12:30am. Then they take on New Zeland at 9:30pm on the same day, Philippine time.