Gilas Girls crush Iran in finals, earn FIBA U-16 Division A promotion

Gilas Pilipinas Girls earned their much-awaited promotion to Division A after beating Iran in blowout fashion, 83-60, in the finals of the FIBA Under-16 Women's Asian Championship on early Monday in Amman, Jordan.

The win also allowed the Filipina youngsters to complete a sweep of the tournament, closing it out with an unbeaten record of 5-0 card en route to the promotion to Asia's elite teams.

The victory capped Gilas Girls' redemption arc after failing to complete the job last edition. The Philippines also swept the group stage for an outright semifinals berth then, but they fell to Samoa in the Final Four to exit the tourney.

This time, though, the Patrick Aquino-mentored team made sure to finish the job.

Against Iran, which was also undefeated prior to the finals, they led by as many as 27 points after a three-pointer made by Sophia Anne Dominique Canindo early in the third period, 53-26.

Although Iran was able to close the gap to just 12 halfway in the fourth period courtesy of a jumper from Helya Houdneh, 63-51, the Filipinas had every answer as Nevaeh Smith and Ava Fajardo led the way.

Smith finished with team-high 21 points alongside two rebounds, one assist, and a steal while Fajardo listed 12 markers, nine dimes, three boards, and one swat.

Kimi Sayson and Alyssia Rylee Palma each chipped in eight points.

With the victory, the Gilas Girls will have a spot to compete in the 2025 FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship Division A.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News