Kristan Geyl Yumul fired 33 points as Gilas Pilipinas Youth notched their second win in the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2022 after outlasting Syria, 92-86, Saturday in Amman, Jordan. 

Yumul waxed hot from the perimeter as she drilled nine 3-pointers, including a clutch stepback triple to give the Philippines enough cushion in the endgame. 

Gilas had control for most of the contest, even enjoying a lead as high as 20 points. The young national team had a 73-63 edge entering the fourth quarter but had to go through the wringer to earn their second win of the tournament. 

Syria came alive in the final frame and knotted the game at 82 apiece with 2:45 remaining after a pair of free throws from Simel Alahmar. Fortunately, Gabriella Ramos was able to come up with a huge offensive rebound plus an and-1 play to give Gilas a narrow three-point advantage. 

After an answer from Aya Almohammad, Yumul came to the rescue with her timely 3-pointer to make it 88-84 with a little over a minute left in the contest. Kailah Jade Oani then created further separation with a clutch steal and a dagger layup on the other end. 

Ramos finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds as an encore for her 27-20 debut performance. She was once again a force on the defensive end with four steals and two blocks. Naomi Natalie Panganiban tallied 13 points and two steals while dictating the offense with eight assists. 

After a dominating 104-68 victory over Indonesia on Friday, Gilas Pilipinas Youth hope to make it three wins in a row as they face Samoa on Sunday at 8:45 PM. The number one seed of both groups will automatically enter the semifinals while the second seed and third seed of each side will have to compete in a qualifying round. 

The Philippines is aiming for a top finish in the tournament to be promoted to Division A.