By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kiefer Alas showed the way once again as the Gilas Pilipinas Boys team punched their ticket to the FIBA U16 Men’s Asian Championship with an 85-49 beating of Thailand in the SEABA qualifier at the GOR Kertajaya in Surabaya, Indonesia on Tuesday, July 18.
Except for the early goings of the contest when the Thais managed to keep in step with Gilas, it was a total domination for the Filipinos who pulled away in the second quarter where they limited their opponents to just 11 points.
Alas anchored Gilas’ run in the first half to finish with game-high 18 points and eight rebounds as he joined hands with Kurt Velasquez during the telling 14-2 run which allowed Gilas to build a double-digit advantage.
Velasquez chipped in 12 points while Joaquin Ludovice added 10.
Defense continued to be the name of the game for Gilas, forcing Thailand to 35 turnovers while limiting them to a measly 16-of-60 clip from the field.
Barwisch paced Thailand with 17 points and four rebounds in a losing effort.
