PROPPED up by a big win the last time out, the Gilas Pilipinas Under-16 women squad showed no signs of falling into the traps of complacency against hapless Maldives last Tuesday night.
The young Filipina cagers beat Maldives to a pulp 144-22 for their second straight win and boosted their bid for a semifinals slot in Division B of the FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship at the Prince Hamzah Stadium in Amman.
Sophia Canindo fired 21 points, grabbed four rebounds, issued six assists and had 12 steals while Maria Christina Lapasaran chipped in 16 markers.
Nevaeh Smith had 16 points, while Ava Fajardo added 15. Ryan Kelly Nair, Kimi Sayson and Isabella de Jesus got 13 points each.
Alyssia Palma (11) Scarlett Mercardo (10) and Ariel Star De La O (10) also turned in double digit performances for the belles of coach Pat Aquino.
Gilas women came off a 79-40 dumping of Hong Kong in Group A play of the continental tilt.
The Philippine five battled Jordan at press time last night in its drive to stay unbeaten and toughen up for a likely fancied opponent in the semis.
Mariyam Kyleen Shirhan was the lone bright spot for the Maldivians, who dropped to 0-2, with 11 points.
Only the top two teams from each of the two groups will advance to the semifinals, with the champion earning a promotion to Division A where powerhouses China, Korea, Australia, and Japan play.
The Philippines wound up its campaign in last year’s edition of the same tilt with a third-place finish after a loss to Samoa in the semis.
