Gilas Pilipinas Youth is set to face Japan in a crucial battle for a spot in the quarterfinals of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup. The knockout match will take place in Amman, Jordan, on Friday at 9:30 p.m. Manila time. 

The Philippines secured third place in Group D with a 1-2 record, behind group leaders New Zealand and Jordan. Batang Gilas recorded one win against Indonesia, dominating with a 75-48 victory. However, they fell short against Jordan, 62-56, and suffered another defeat to an unbeaten New Zealand squad, 75-58. 

Japan, on the other hand, finished second in Group C with a 2-1 slate, positioning them as Gilas’ next hurdle on the road to the quarterfinals. 

Japan’s key player to watch: Leon Watanabe 

Leon Watanabe, a 6-foot-8 forward from Japan, is expected to be a major challenge for Gilas Youth. Watanabe has experience playing in the Japan B.League’s second division for Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka and was a former teammate of Filipino player Greg Slaughter.  Throughout the group stage, Watanabe has averaged 15.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, making him a key player to watch. His teammate Riku Segawa has also been contributing significantly, averaging 13.7 points.  

Earl Medina shines despite Gilas’ loss vs. New Zealand 

In Gilas Youth’s recent 75-58 loss to New Zealand, John Earl Medina emerged as a standout player, delivering an impressive 30-point performance. Medina scored 23 of those points in the second half, including a near-perfect 7-of-8 from the two-point area and 5-of-12 from beyond the arc. Despite Medina’s efforts, the Filipinos couldn’t close the gap and secure a win. Fellow Gilas player Mark Esperanza added 14 points to the team’s tally, but the unbeaten New Zealand squad, led by Carter Hopoi’s 23 points, proved too strong.  

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