Gilas girls, Indonesia dispute FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup berth

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas girls collide with Indonesia in the duel of unbeaten squads for a seat in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup at the close of the SEABA Qualifiers Saturday at the STI West Negros University in Bacolod City.

Game time is a 7 p.m., with the Nationals looming as the heavy favorites anew due to their home-court advantage and massive winning margins in the first three matches.

The latest one in Gilas’ killing spree under new mentor Sandy Arespacochaga was an 86-48 trashing of Thailand on Thursday night for yet another lopsided affair.

Lea Pineula headlined the barrage with 16 points while Ruiza Olmos chipped in 11. Tiffany Reyes and Zia Onete contributed nine each with skipper Sophia Dignadice quarterbacking their offense behind eight points and eight assists.

Gilas previously drubbed Vietnam, 93-42, and Singapore, 83-53, for now a whopping winning gap of 39.6 points.

But Indonesia is tipped to give Gilas a run for its own money with an unbeaten slate of its own entering a tough test against Thailand at press time.

Indonesia took care of business against Singapore, 66-49, and Vietnam, 81-32.