Gilas Pilipinas against Team USA at the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. Photo from FIBA.

The Gilas Pilipinas Under-17 men’s basketball team suffered huge back-to-back defeats in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup.

The Filipino boys absorbed losses from Puerto Rico and the United States and went winless in four games in Turkey.

On Wednesday, the Nationals absorbed a 96-point beatdown from the Americans, 141-45, in the round-of-16 at the Ahmet Comert Sports Hall.

Joaquin Ludovice was one of the few bright spots for PH and put up 15 points, while CJ Amos followed him with 10.

Cayden Boozer, son of former NBA standout Carlos Boozer, led Team USA’s hot start in the opener as his lay-in capped off a 24-5 outburst with 5:33 left in the same quarter

USA went on to further break the game from there on and outscored the Philippines, 19-8, to create a 43-13 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play, but the Americans actually shifted to higher gears in the next set.

The Sharman Lamar White-mentored Americans built a massive 83-20 lead at the half as they feasted on the Filipinos with dunks and three-pointers. Also helping them in their dominance was their performance on the defensive end that resulted in them putting up 14 steals and eight blocks, and the Philippines committing 27 turnovers.

This eventually allowed Team USA to lead by as much as 96, and contributing to their victory was Koa Peat who had 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.

Cameron Boozer followed with 20 together with four boards, Jalen Haralson finished with 16, while Caleb Holt, Chris Cenac, Tyran Strokers, and Cayden Boozer had 14, 14, 12, and 12, respectively.

Filipino-American JJ Mandaquit tallied four markers, eight assists, two steals, and two rebounds for Team USA.

Meanwhile, Gilas absorbed a 45-point, 98-53 beating from the Puerto Ricans on Tuesday.

Ludovice was also PH’s top scorer and delivered 13 alongside three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Nathan Velasquez had 10.

They opened the game on a promising note and actually ended the first quarter with a 24 to 16 lead, but they were sent crashing back to earth in the second.

The Filipinos went scoreless in that frame’s first five minutes and allowed Puerto Rico to score 17 unanswered points for a 33-24 lead, and it all went downhill for them since then. 

Gilas faced a 48-30 disadvantage at halftime, and that proved to be enough for Puerto Rico to continue with their stellar play in the second half to eventually score the victory.

Jordan Dill led the Puerto Ricans with 15, while Vincent Stewart Jr. finished with 11.

The Filipinos will return to play on Friday for the 9-16 Classification Games.