PH routs Hong Kong by 39, gets first win in FIBA U-16 Women's Asian Championship 2023

Gilas Pilipinas played superb defense to stifle Hong Kong via a 39-point crushing, 79-40, to claim their first win in Group A of the 2023 FIBA U-16 Women's Asian Championship at Prince Hamzah Stadium in Amman, Jordan on Monday night, July 10 (Manila time).

The Philippines forced Hong Kong to 34 turnovers (TOs) and limited them to just a 26 percent shooting clip to start their Division B campaign dominantly.

The Filipina quintet converted those TOs to 26 points, courtesy of their impeccable full-court press.

Turning their defense to offense, Ava Fajardo, Gilas Women's star Ella's younger sister, led the way with 17 points.

Ryan Kelly Nair had 12 markers, Alyssia Palma chipped in 10, and Ariel Star De La O registered seven and 12 rebounds for the nationals.

Gilas Women's U-16 cruised to a 10-0 start in the first period before Hong Kong came within striking distance, 12-11.

Staving off the uprising, Fajardo hit a triple before Nair scored a layup to restore order as the opening quarter ended.

Since then, the Philippines took control and never looked back, even establishing a 41-point lead, 79-38, in the last 67 ticks of the final canto, with a Scarlett Mercado jumper.

Gilas will next face Maldives on July 11 before taking on host Jordan in their last group assignment on July 12, both in the same venue.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, got 14 points from Tsz Ching Kam, while Yan Ting Tai added 11 markers for Hong Kong in losing efforts.

Kam, Tai, and company dropped to a 0-1 mark like Maldives, which suffered a 94-32 whipping in the hands of Jordan.

Hong Kong aims to enter the win column when they face Jordan in front of its home crowd on the same date and place as the Philippines-Maldives clash.

Topping Group A will allow the Philippines to secure an automatic semifinal spot.

Only the Division B champion will gain promotion to the Division A of the next FIBA U-16 Women's Asia Championship edition.