Gilas lasses battle Thais

CAN the Gilas Pilipinas Under-18 Women squad achieve what their Under-16 counterparts failed two months ago?

The young Filipino dribblers launch their bid when they take on Thailand today in group phase action of the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asian Championship Division B in Bangalore, India.

The match is set at 6:15 p.m., with Gilas out to get a fast start in its drive to clinch a Division A promotion.

The Philippines is bracketed in Group A where it will also battle Samoa tomorrow and Maldives on Wednesday. Group B features Mongolia, Hong Kong, Jordan, and Malaysia.

The top-ranked team from the group will clinch an outright semifinals berth, while the second and third place squads will tangle in the quarterfinals playoff.

Only the champion of the Sept. 5 to 11 tourney will earn promotion to Division A in 2024.

Kristan Yumul, Camille Nolasco, and BJ Villarin…