Gilas Youth bows out of FIBA U18 Asian Championship after QF loss to Lebanon

The Gilas Pilipinas Under-18 squad bowed out of podium contention in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship after absorbing a 99-83 loss to Lebanon during their quarterfinal clash on Wednesday afternoon in Iran.

The national youth team never got the momentum to their side, trailing the Lebanese crew by 18 at the half, 53-35, despite Mason Amos already turning in seven points and five rebounds.

But the Filipinos could not put a stop to 17-year-old Bryan Mansour, who collected 16 of his overall output to tow Lebanon to a huge advantage heading to the second half.

Lebanon turned its halftime cushion to a 27-point lead to end the third period, where they outscored the Philippines, 27 to 18, and carry an 80-53 spread to the final 10 minutes of action.

The Filipinos, who swept their assignments in the group stage, could not recover from that point on as Lebanon completed the win to set up a semifinals duel with either Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Amos finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while Kyle Daven Gamber chipped in 10 markers.

Mansour was phenomenal, pouring in 28 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists while Karim Rtail chimed in with 25 markers.

With the loss, the Philippines will not be able to book an outright ticket to the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Hungary.

—JMB, GMA News