Height disparity too much for Pontejos, Perlas vs Spain

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

BOCAUE, Bulacan—Janine Pontejos set everything ablaze when the Philippines faced Spain in the group stages of the women’s division of the Fiba 3×3 World Cup with five long balls en route to a 13-point performance.

Pontejos’ hot hand, however, wasn’t enough as Perlas still fell to the Spain, 21-17, for its third loss in three games in Pool D and bow out of contention.

For Pontejos, though, she doesn’t like to dwell too much on the loss and instead look at the reality that was presented to her even before the tournament started.

“I’m not regretting my performance that much because even before we started we knew that we’re the underdogs,” said Pontejos in Filipino. “I know that my teammates and I gave our best in this game we just lost in height.”

Spain had 6-foot-3 Aitana Cuevas Mediavilla and 6-foot Vega Jimeno Martinez against the Philippines’ 6-foot-1 Jack Daniel Animam in the paint.

Pontejos stands at 5-foot-5 and throughout the game had to contend with the 5-foot-8 Nuria Martinez Prat and 5-foot-7 Paula Palomares.

“We knew we were underestimate based on our height alone because every time I pass by them in the hotel they’d look at me from head to toe,” said Pontejos. “I’d just smile at them and think that I would show them what I’m capable of.”