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Huge breakthrough for Gilas Youth as team stuns China in repechage

Dave Ildefonso led Gilas Youth to its first win in the FIBA U19 World Cup. FIBA (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--With the sudden adversity Gilas Pilipinas Youth faced during the FIBA U19 World Cup in the form of AJ Edu's ACL injury, the team finally got a huge breakthrough.

The RP Youth Team program scored its first win in the tournament, shocking China, 86-72, in a classification round battle at the Heraklion University Hall on Saturday.

Gilas Youth zoomed ahead in the third quarter, dropping 31 points on China to pull away for good.

Dave Ildefonso made 21 points, six rebounds, and seven assists for Gilas Youth, which will finish no worse than 14th place.

Carl Tamayo added 20 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Guo Haowen made 23 markers, four boards, five dimes, and four steals for China.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno