Gilas belles ruthless

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women pulverized their Maldives counterparts, 141-18, in an electrifying start in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B yesterday at the Futian Sports Park in Shenzhen, China.

All 12 players hit the scoring board including nine in double figures as the Filipinas scored the enormous 123-point win sparked by a searing 22-0 start.

Jolzyne Myranda Impreso and Alicia Margarett Villanueva fired 18 points to headline a scattered attack while Ashlyn Nicole Abong had 14 points.

Ava Fajardo, Gabby Ramos and Sophia Canindo produced 13 points each as Tiffany Reyes, Maria Christina Lapasaran and Naomi Panganiban added 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Alyssa Rodriguez (8), Margarette Duenas (6) and Venice Quinten (5) played their part in the unforgiving onslaught of the Filipinas.

At 1-0 in Group B, Gilas braces for a tougher outing against Lebanon today and Syria tomorrow with hopes of finishing in the top two for an outright semis berth.