Tag: U18

Gilas Pilipinas women set sights on Jones Cup after U18 success

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Gilas Pilipinas girls at the PSA Forum following their triumphant stint in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup.-PSA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The hard work continues for the successful Gilas women’s program following its masterful conquest of the Fiba U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China last week.

Program director Pat Aquino said the Gilas women (senior) take over when they see action in the Jones Cup in Taiwan set July 13 to 21 and the pre-qualifiers for the next Fiba World Cup set in Rwanda scheduled Aug 19 to 25.

“Then there’s the next SEA Games (2025). Kailangan makuha ulit natin ang gold sa SEA Games,” Aquino said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

READ: Gilas girls earn Division A promotion after whipping Lebanon

Aquino and head coach Julie Amos graced the forum along with members of the U18 team that swept Division B of the Asia Cup and earned a spot in Division A for 2026.

The development was welcome news for the Gilas program after its senior team, the Gilas women, previously made it to Division A as well as the U16 team in the Asia Cup.

“This is the future of our women’s basketball. Tingin ko wala na akong problema for the next years or so. We should continue the program for the 16-under and 18-under with the help of SBP (Sahahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy,” added Aquino.

However, Amos, a former key player for the national team, said all but one of the members of this U18 team will no longer be eligible for 2026.

“Isa na lang ang matititra (Tiffany Reyes) so I hope the SBP continues to help us,” she said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.

READ: Tough draw for Gilas women in Fiba World PreQualifiers

“But we have a good problem because more players are asking how they can join the team. It’s just a matter of identifying the talents that will fit the program,” Amos said.

Moving up to Division A for the U18 team was not a complete surprise, according to Aquino.

“We were expecting it. I knew the girls can do it. And it’s a mark for us now around Asia that we can play against the level of China, Japan and Korea,” he said of the campaign in Shenzhen where the Gilas girls went undefeated including a convincing win over Lebanon in the final.

Among the players who graced the forum were team captain Ava Fajardo, Naomi Panganiban, Margarette Duenas, Sophia Canindo, Gabby Ramos, Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Alicia Villanueva and Audrey Lapasaran, Ashlyn Abong, Jolzyne Impreso, and Venice Quinte. With them was former champion coach Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to the SBP president.

Aquino said it’s bittersweet that most of the U18 players that ruled the Shenzhen meet will no longer be eligible for the 2026 edition.

“I hope that someday they can all represent the senior team,” he said.



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“And hopefully we’ll find new faces na magpapatuloy sa ating mga programa. Pero mas malaki na yung pool natin. Lumalaki ng lumalaki,” Aquino added.

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.

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

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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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U18 squad eyes sweep for promotion, redemption

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Gabby Ramos against Indonesia defenders Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers. –FIBA BASKETBALL

Gilas Pilipinas is back in the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup and will be shooting for redemption—and Division A promotion—nearly two years after a heartbreaking loss that had the squad settling for third place.

The young Nationals, coached by longtime women’s program mentor Julie Amos, arrived in Shenzhen, China, on Saturday (Manila time). Still sore from a friendly with the La Salle Lady Archers and a long trip from the airport to the Chinese city, they immediately rolled their sleeves and got to work, eager to erase the heartaches of the past.

“Even though coming from an early flight, we were able to rest a bit and get back to training,” Amos told the Inquirer. “We had our first training today at 2 p.m. and [we hope to do it tomorrow] 2 p.m. again before June 24.”

The Philippines’ path will first go through the Maldives, a side they picked apart with methodical precision in their last meeting, 110-28, in the previous edition of the tournament held in Bangalore, India.

The clash is set at 4:30 p.m. at Futian Sports Park with the likes of Naomi Panganiban, Gabriella Ramos, and Tiff Reyes expected to match their strong showing during the Asia Cup qualifiers in Thailand last May.

2022 heartache

Amos noted her charges’ zest but knows all too well that it will all be for naught without the proper mindset.

“We all know that this will be a tough competition. And for us to be able to win, to face all [sorts of] adversities, we have to be ready mentally and physically,” she said. “Being resilient and determined is what [we need to do] in this tournament. The girls are excited and ready.”

Gilas is also slotted with Syria and Lebanon in Group B.

The Philippines was on track to reach the you-or-me finale during the 2022 showcase, but ran into a tough-as-nails Malaysian side that prevailed in overtime, 66-65. Gilas, then starred by the likes of Kate Bobadilla, Kristian Yumul, and Louna Ozar, played Samoa to wind up in third place.

A sweep of the Shenzhen showcase will finally send the Philippines to Division A, where continental powerhouses China, Japan and Australia compete.



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Alas Pilipinas girls cop bronze medal in Thailand U18 tournament

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FILE–Alas Pilipinas girls during a game in the Princess Cup Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas Girls captured a historic bronze medal in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship after sweeping Australia, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, in the battle for third on Thursday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The national youth team turned to Kimberly Rubin and Harlyn Serneche anew to beat the Australians for the second time this tournament and earn its best finish in its second appearance in the regional meet.

Alas, under rookie Japanese coach Taka Minowa, surpassed the previous fourth place of the former national youth team, led by Princess Cup Best Libero Kath Arado in 2016.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls lose chance to reach final of Thailand tilt

The 2016 youth team fell to to Indonesia, 12-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the bronze medal match but Arado proved to be the silver lining of the tournament after earning a spot on the mythical team.

In the u-18 team’s revival, Minowa, also Akari’s coach in the PVL, and his wards won four of their six games, bouncing back from a crucial 22-25, 18-25, 19-25 loss to Indonesia on Wednesday.

The nationals dominated the opening set but needed to fight back from a 13-16 deficit in the second as the Aussies committed three consecutive attack errors before Serneche drilled an attack and Lianne Penuliar nailed an ace for a 19-16 lead.

READ: Alas Pilipinas podium finish ushers in new era for PH volleyball

Australia trimmed it down to 22-21 but Serneche and Ashley Macalinao put on the finishing touches of the second for a two-set lead.

Alas broke a tie at 19-all after back-to-back miscues from Australia before Rosie Alchin stopped the bleeding, 21-20. Maile Salang’s big block and miscommunication from the Aussies allowed the Filipinos to pull away with a 23-20 lead, as Rubin sealed the bronze with back-to-back kills.

Interestingly, Alas women’s team, led by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, earned bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month after beating Australia.

The national youth team got a morale booster from its bronze finish before heading to the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship starting on Sunday at the same venue.



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Thailand and Indonesia will clash for the Princess Cup supremacy later in the day.