Gilas Youth opens FIBA U-19 with loss against Greece

“Our #GilasPilipinas U19 Youth Team puts up a gallant stand against Greece! All #ParaSaBayan ! #SBP #LabanPilipinas #FIBAU19” (Photo: Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas – SBP/Facebook)

Despite leading by seven points at the end of the first quarter, the Greeks began to lead in the second quarter, scoring 14 free throws within the 10 minutes alone.

Although former Ateneo de Manila Blue Eaglet Kai Sotto, who made his return to the Philippines from the United States especially to participate in the national team, fared with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, his teammates struggled with the loss of Filipino-Nigerian AJ Edu, who suffered from a right knee injury within the first three minutes of the match. Gerry Abadiano and Dave Ildefonso attempted to save the team as well with 13 and 12 points respectively with Team Philippines even equating the same amount of 43 rebounds as their opponents, but a total of 20 errors for the young basketball stars were taken advantage of by the home team.

For the Greeks, it was Nikolaos Aresneopoulos who led the way with 18 points, while teammate Aristotelis Sotiriou totalled 16 points, going with a percentage of 7-of-9 free throws. Zois Karampelas and Emmanoil Chatzidakis chipped 10 individually.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) group is currently awaiting the status of Edu’s injury, President AL Panlilio assuring the six-foot-ten 19-year-old, that “the SBP is committed to help get through the ordeal,” saying, “We are behind him all the way. We will help him with whatever he needs. The (national team) is a journey together and we will be with you. Walang iwanan.”

Gilas Youth will next be facing Argentina, who stands at the number nine spot in Group C of the tournament.