The Gilas Boys faced a disappointing exit from the FIBA U18 Asia Cup after a 117-103 defeat to China in the quarterfinals on August 21, 2026, in Ahmedabad, India.
Despite the loss, Pampanga native Chog Moral delivered a standout performance, scoring a game-high 26 points, complemented by 6 steals and 2 rebounds.
A Bright Spot Amidst Defeat
Chog Moral waxed hot this time, shooting an efficient 10-of-14 clip and scattering 19 points in the second half.
Gilas Boys' Performance Report
Moral's scoring surge came after he averaged only 6.3 points in the tournament's initial matches. His late-game efforts included a crucial free throw and a layup that briefly narrowed the gap to 91-106 with under two minutes remaining.
Unfortunately for the Philippines, China quickly responded with five consecutive points, securing their victory and eliminating the Gilas Boys from advancing.
- Luke Edward Atacador: 14 points
- Ethan Aguas: 12 points
- JB Cagurungan: 12 points
- George Green: 11 points and 5 rebounds
China's Wang Zichao and Chen Yuxiu led their team with 25 and 23 points, respectively. The Chinese squad established dominance early, closing the first quarter with a 33-20 lead.
This loss means the Philippines will not qualify for the 2027 FIBA U19 World Cup, marking the first time since 2019 that they will miss this opportunity. Back then, current Gilas Pilipinas stars like Kai Sotto and AJ Edu represented the nation.
As they now shift focus to the classification phase of the tournament, the Gilas Boys still have a chance to finish as high as fifth.