MISSION complete.
In a tournament it was favored to win, the Gilas Pilipinas Under-16 Youth squad proved to be the men among the boys and realized a coveted goal last Wednesday night.
With Kieffer Alas doing most of the damage anew, Gilas Youth turned back a game but outclassed Indonesia side 77-65 to bag the Seaba Under-16 Championship at the GOR Kertajaya Surabaya Arena in Indonesia.
Alas, son of former PBA tactician Louie, scattered 19 points, on top of 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, while CJ Amos chipped in 14 markers.
Kurt Velasquez also had 14 points as the Josh Reyes-mentored young Filipino cagers scored a fitting follow up to an 85-49 whipping of Thailand three days ago and completed a 3-0 sweep of the regional meet.
More importantly, the title triumph allowed Gilas Youth to gain a slot to the FIBA Under-16 Asia Championships in Doha, Qatar from Sept. 17 to 24.
Gilas Youth trailed 16-21 early on but battled back and grabbed a 38-32 cushion at the halfway mark.
A decisive 20-10 binge in the third quarter gave Gilas Youth a 65-51 spread going into the payoff period.
I Ketut Gede Bayu Prayoga Putra carried the fight for the Indonesians with 19 points, five boards.
Hosea Yedija Setiawan also got 17 markers, six rebounds, and four dimes for Indonesia.
Earlier, Malaysia held off Thailand 85-79 to also clinch a berth in the Asian tilt.
