Gilas Pilipinas ended their FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2023 campaign in fourth place after losing to China, 87-59, Sunday in Doha. 

Joaquin Ludovice fired 15 points, punctuated by two triples. Gilas’ top shooter also provided four rebounds and three assists. Kieffer Alas concluded his stellar run by filling the stat sheet with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and a block. 

Alas finished ninth in the tournament in scoring with 15.4 points. His best game was a 29-point outing against Japan to help steer the Philippines to the semifinals. 

China buckled down on defense at the tail end of the first half and continued their momentum in the third quarter to create separation. China was led by Zhang Boyuan who posted 34 points on an efficient 12-for-17 shooting clip, including seven triples. 

Irus Chua chipped in with 10 points in just six minutes off the bench while Edryn Morales added eight points for Gilas. 

With a top-four finish, the Philippines earned a ticket to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup next year in Turkey.