Tag: Asia

Gilas Girls enter Fiba U18 Asia Cup Finals, closer to promotion

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Gilas Pilipinas girls’ Ava Fajardo during a Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B game against Samoa. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas Pilipinas bucked a wobbly second quarter and then played full of zest the rest of the way to dismantle Samoa, 71-47, in the Final Four of the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B on Saturday.

The Young Nationals regained their bearings in the third period and held the Samoans just eight points in the final period of the clash at Futian Sports Park in Shenzen, China to inch closer to a promotion to the tournament’s top-flight division.

Ava Fajardo, one of the noteworthy players from the Gilas Girls program pipeline from last year, delivered 19 points to lead all of the Filipinos in a victory that exorcised the demons of two years ago.

READ: Gilas girls crush Maldives by 123 points in Fiba U18 Asia Cup

The Philippines faltered against Malaysia in overtime in the same phase during the Bangalore, India edition of the showcase in 2022, eventually settling for a third-place finish and falling short of a Division A ticket after crushing left and right early into the tournament.

The Philippines enjoyed leads as big as 26 points and was in control of the contest save for the first 2:12 of the opening frame, where the Filipinos were trying to rediscover their groove after a two-day break.

Naomi Panganiban added 12 points, while Sophia Canindo and Alicia Villanueva chipped in 11 each for the Julie Amos squad that will now face the winner of the other semifinal duel featuring Lebanon and Iran.

READ: Gilas girls return to work, shoot for promotion in China

The Philippines picked apart Lebanon, 89-63, in their previous encounter in the group phase last Tuesday.

Iran, meanwhile, was the finest squad of Group A, sweeping its way into the semifinal phase.

The Lebanese and Iranians tangle as of this writing at the same venue.



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Mylaani Sione led the way for the Samoans with 18 points. Kira-May Filemu added 12 points, but was the only other player to finish for the squad, which will be relegated to the battle for 3rd place.

B.League expands reach with more countries for Asia special quota

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FILE–Former SanEn NeoPhoenix player Thirdy Ravena is among the trail blazers of the Asian Special quota in the Japabn B.League.–Photo from B.League

MANILA, Philippines—The Japan B.League is expanding its horizons with a new rule on Asian players’ special quota.

In a statement released by the league on Wednesday, the B.League said it has “decided to expand the Asia special quota for the 2024-25 season.”

The new rule means that players from countries like Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and Malaysia, to name a few, can now be signed in a B.League team, giving more opportunities to aspiring Asian swingmen.

READ: Thirdy Ravena happy to see Filipinos thrive in B.League

“The Japan Professional Basketball League is pleased to announce that it has decided to expand the Asia special quota for the 2024-25 season. The new quota includes Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and India,” the statement read.

“Together with the existing quota for China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines, the Asia special Quota will apply to players with nationalities from a total of 13 countries and regions.”

Several Filipino players have been beneficiaries of the B.League’s Asian quota rule.

READ: Thirdy Ravena, San-En win breakthrough B.League conference title

Established in the 2021 season, the B.League opened doors for Filipino imports such as Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu and Kai Sotto, who are still actively in the league.

“This [Asian quota] is a system established from the 2020-21 season for the purpose of improving players’ competitive abilities to global standards and expanding the B. LEAGUE’s market in Asia.”

The rule states that other than three foreign players, either naturalized players or Asian special quota players can also join, not adding up the three-import count.

In the B.League’s last season, the Asian quota covered just five countries in China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines.



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The Hiroshima Dragonflies won the title after defeating the Ryukyu Golden Kings. Both teams had Filipino players Sotto and Carl Tamayo.

China’s 7-foot-3 player Zhang Ziyu dominating Fiba U18 Asia Cup

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The photo taken on June 25, 2024 shows 2.20m (seven feet, three inches) Chinese basketball player Zhang Ziyu and her teammates listening to their coach’s instructions during their 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup match between China and New Zealand in Shenzhen. (Photo by AFP)

A 17-year-old Chinese basketball player has been tipped for the top and drawn comparisons to Yao Ming after using her startling height advantage to dominate an international tournament.

Zhang Ziyu stands 7-foot-3 (2.20 meters), according to Fiba, the basketball’s governing body.

But Chinese media reported earlier this year that she was even taller at 7-foot-6 (2.28m)

READ: Yao Ming vows to support China basketball players after online abuse

Either way, she has used her height to help the hosts to two comfortable wins at this week’s U18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen and drawn attention beyond China after footage of her emerged online.

Against Indonesia on Monday, Zhang netted 19 points in 13 minutes after coming off the bench in a big 109-50 victory.

Video footage showed her towering over her opponents, with some of the Indonesian players barely coming up to the chest of Zhang, who hardly has to jump to reach the basket.

READ: Yao Ming slams China ‘slackers’ after Asian Games basketball flop

China then beat New Zealand 90-68 on Tuesday, with the teenager posting a team-high 36 points. She also led in rebounds with 13.

Social media users compared her to former NBA star Yao, who was 2.29m tall and China’s greatest basketball player of all time.

The WNBA requires foreign players to be aged at least 20, but many observers are already speculating about Zhang’s potential future career in the United States.

“Generational dominance,” one user on X commented.

“She’s got a good touch around the rim,” another wrote.



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“Most tall people just chuck the ball at it, hoping it goes in, but she has good form and knows what she’s doing.”

Gilas crushes Maldives by 123 points in Fiba U18 Asia Cup

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas’ Alicia Villanueva against the Maldives in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup in China on Monday. –Fiba Asia Photo

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas picked Maldives with methodical precision on Monday, 141-18, for a rousing start in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzen, China.

The young Nationals came out of the gates hard, racing to a 22-0 lead to take early control of the contest at Futian Sports Park.

Alicia Villanueva, who starred for the Philippines in last month’s Asia Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand, picked up where she left off with 18 points.

READ: Gilas U18 squad eyes sweep for promotion, redemption

Jolzyne Impreso chipped in 18 points as well, with seven more of Julie Amos’ charges scoring at least 12 points in the blowout which was a repeat of the two nations’ last encounter in the previous edition of the meet held in India two years ago.

Gilas put the game beyond doubt as early as the second quarter where the Filipinas went on a 47-0 rampage for a 99-14 edge in the next period.

The Philippines will next face Lebanon, another country it easily beat the last time.

Gilas Girls are shooting for a Division A promotion, which will send them to the main tournament where top-flight countries like China, Japan, and Australia are playing.



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