Gilas Pilipinas dropped out of title contention in the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Jordan.

The Philippine National Basketball team failed to secure a spot in the quarterfinals after losing to Japan, 85-61, on Friday, September 6.

Mark Esperanza scored 16 points, and John Earl Medina chipped in 11 markers to pace the Filipinos, which has only one of their last four games.

The Philippines never took the lead after Takuma Wada made back-to-back baskets to put Japan up by four points, 23-19, at the end of the first quarter.

Leon Watanabe finished with 15 points, while Riku Segawa added 13 points to lead the Japanese nationals to their third win in the tournament.