If Kurita had continued the attack instead of withdrawing, it is possible that the U.S. could have suffered heavy losses in troops and supplies, which would have delayed the liberation of the Philippines.
Hvis Kurita havde fortsat angrebet i stedet for at trække sig tilbage, er det muligt at amerikanerne kunne have lidt svære tab af tropper og forsyninger, hvilket ville have forsinket deres erobring af Filippinerne.