By MARK REY MONTEJO

Kiefer Alas showed the way anew as the Gilas Pilipinas boys team strengthened its bid for an Asian Championship spot after clobbering Thailand, 85-49, in the SEABA U16 Qualifiers at the GOR Kertajaya in Surabaya, Indonesia on Tuesday, July 18.

Kiefer Alas. (SBP photo)

Coming in hot from a 94-52 rout of Malaysia in the opener, the Filipino dribblers put on a dazzling display in the first half which they preserved until the final buzzer to keep their record pristine in two games.

Gilas hopes to sweep the tournament when they meet host Indonesia on Wednesday and earn a ticket to the continental joust set in Qatar this coming September.

After scoring 27 points against the Malaysians, Alas shone bright once again with his 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kurt Nathan Velasquez and Joaquin Ludovice added 12 and 10 points, respectively, while other Gilas gunners had significant contributions to seal the lopsided victory.

Alas, son of veteran coach Louie and brother of NLEX guard Kevin, commandeered a 14-2 flurry which resulted to a 39-24 lead in the second quarter.

That proved to be enough as the Thais struggled with the ball with the Filipinos executing pressure defense all game long.

Those turnovers translated to easy baskets on the other end as Gilas kept its foot on the gas pedal en route to a one-sided win.

Thailand rode on the shoulders of Michael Barwisch who registered 17 points in a losing effort.