AHMEDABAD (India) - Ethan Aguas saved the day to help the Philippines avert disaster against Chinese Taipei and escape with the 89-88 decision in a pulsating FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 debut on Thursday.
The athletic wing sank the tough go-ahead shot despite a difficult angle from the baseline with 2.2 seconds left as a response to Carter Coleman's layup on the other end that gave the opposition the 88-87 lead.
Gilas Youth then leaned on defense in the final possession to prevent their East Asian foes from countering and succeeded, coming away with the one-point win after squandering a lead as big as 27 points.
Aguas finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds plus a pair of assists for the young Filipinos, whom he gave an 83-68 lead to with 6:09 remaining until Chinese Taipei came back roaring.
"It was a miracle shot," said Aguas.
JB Cagurungan led the Philippines with 21 points and 5 rebounds, finishing with an efficiency of 22. Prince Carino supplied 10 points and 9 rebounds without a turnover, with Bruce Tubongbanua chipping in 10 points as well.
Chinese Taipei, on the other hand, were led by Coleman with 22 points in the heartbreaking loss.
Liu Ting-Kuan had 21 points and 6 rebounds, scoring 12 of his points in the said period as he powered the furious fourth-quarter comeback together with Huang Jia-Han, who finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds.
In the opening game, Australia hardly broke a sweat against Thailand, 102-32, to open their title defense bid on a high, leaning on a balanced attack that saw a total of five players finish in double figures.
Jai Fa'ale led the Emus with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Former FIBA U17 Oceania Cup Will Hamilton produced a double-double output of 15 points and 12 rebounds, and added 3 assists.
Isaac Riddle made 13 points and 7 rebounds. Antonio Browne pumped in 13 points as well - including a highlight-worthy slam - on top of 5 rebounds and 6 assists, while Yahya Basaran added 10 & 14 plus 5 blocks.
Australia and the Philippines will meet this Saturday, August 15, at 10:30 local time, still at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium, for the lead in Group A.
FIBA