BY ABBY TORALBA
KIEFFER Alas and the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team crashed the winner’s circle of the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship after whipping Kazakhstan 66-42 yesterday in Doha, Qatar.
Alas scored 18 points, to go with 10 rebounds and two assists, while Joaquin Ludovice added 11 markers. Bonn Ervin Daja had 10 points and eight boards for the Philippines.
With the win, Gilas Youth improved to 1-1 in Group D.
The Philippines struggled in the first half, shooting only 11-of-41 from the field and 1-of-11 beyond the arc as Kazakhstan took a 30-25 lead.
Gilas Youth battled back in the third quarter, sinking five triples to take the lead 47-33.
Kazakhstan failed to find its rhythm from there while the Philippines took complete control in the final salvo, leading 66-42 in the last 49 seconds.
Alisher Muratuly was the lone bright spot for Kazakhstan, which remained winless after two games, with 15 points and nine boards.
The Philippines battles Malaysia, also 1-1 in Group D, at 12:30 a.m. today.
The FIBA U-16 Asian Championship serves as a qualifier for the FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup next year in Turkey.
