Gilas girls resume ‘promotion’ drive

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women try to move closer to a Division A promotion in a knockout outing against Samoa today in the semifinals of the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship Division B at the Futian Sports Park in Shenzhen, China.

Coach Julie Amos’ side is the heavy favorite following a sweep of Group B play with ease.

The Gilas belles demolished Maldives, 141-18, then took care of Lebanon, 89-63.

Gilas also scored a win by default against tournament no-show Syria to top the group and clinch an automatic ticket to the Final Four along with Iran from Group A.

Samoa, which finished second behind Iran in their group, yesterday drubbed Maldives, 94-31, to advance to the semifinals.

A win by Gilas against Samoa would push it one win shy of a desired promotion in Division A that’s being played simultaneously at the same venue featuring powerhouse squads Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei plus Southeast Asian teams Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Gilas U16 team, under program director Pat Aquino, achieved the feat by sweeping Division B last year.