By REYNALD MAGALLON
Naomi Panganiban dazzled with an all-around performance as the Gilas Pilipinas girls team drubbed Lebanon, 89-63 to pick up its second win in as many games in the 2024 FIBA Women’s U18 Asia Cup at the Futian Sports Park in Shenzhen, China on Tuesday, June 25.
Unlike in the rousing debut against Maldives, the Filipinas allowed their opponents to take the lead in the opening minutes before turning in a huge first half that saw them build a lead that went to as high as 19 points.
Panganiban led the assault for Gilas firing away 25 points to go along with her eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals.
She was backstopped by Gabby Ramos who had a double-double of 12 points and 19 rebounds while Tiffany Reyes added 12 – all coming from connections from deep.
Lebanon put up a much better fight in the second half particularly in the third where it only allowed Gilas to win the quarter by one point. Their efforts however went futile in the end as the Filipinas were just too poised and kept padding the lead until it reached the largest at 29 in the final frame.
With the win, Gilas took the top spot in the Group A standings with a chance to go for a elimination round sweep against Syria on Wednesday, June 25.
Maygen Naasan paced Lebanon with 17 points while Reem El Ghali added 14 in a losing effort.
