Gilas Girls Finish Unbeaten, Secure SEABA Qualifiers Crown

Gilas Pilipinas Girls completed a flawless campaign in the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers, overpowering Indonesia, 88-62, on Saturday at the STI West Negros University Gym to clinch the championship and earn promotion back to Division A of the continental tournament.

The Filipinas swept all four of their assignments, finishing with a perfect 4-0 record while winning by an average margin of 36.25 points throughout the competition.

Their dominant showing underscored their position as Southeast Asia’s top youth women’s basketball team and secured their place in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division A, which will be hosted by Malaysia.

Led by tournament Most Valuable Player Rhiane Perez and local standout Sophia Dignadice, Gilas established control from the outset and never looked back.

The Philippines raced to a 25-14 advantage after the opening quarter before blowing the game wide open with a 57-28 halftime lead, effectively sealing the outcome before the break.

Perez capped her MVP campaign with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Dignadice contributed 14 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Tiffany Reyes added 12 points, and Zuzzane Singson chipped in 11 as the Filipinas stretched their lead to as many as 34 points in the second half.

Indonesia, which entered the finale unbeaten, settled for second place after suffering its only defeat of the tournament. Angelina Welly paced the Indonesians with 18 points, while Joanne Giovanni added 11.

Singapore finished third with a 2-2 record and secured the region’s berth to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B competition, which will be held from July 13 to 19 in Bangkok.

With a perfect record and a championship to show for it, Gilas Pilipinas Girls now shifts its focus to the continental stage, aiming to build on its impressive SEABA campaign against Asia’s elite teams.