Jones Cup: Gilas women’s falls short against Japan for 0-2 start

MANILA, Philippines– Gilas Pilipinas women’s team absorbed a heartbreaking 85-82 loss to Japanese club team Mitsubishi Electric in the 2109 William Jones Cup Thursday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City in Taiwan.

Janine Pontejos led the Philippines with 18 points, on 5-of-12 shooting from three-point distance, and five steals in the country’s second straight loss in the invitational tournament.

The Philippines trailed for most of the game and headed into the fourth quarter down 69-59 but fought back in the fourth frame.

Pontejos and Clare Castro combined for 15 of Gilas’ 23 points in the fourth quarter but Mitsubishi Electric did just enough to maintain distance.

Aya Watanabe, a member of the Japanese national team, led all scorers with 22 points with four rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Asaka O nearly finished with a double-double for Mitsubishi Electric with 14 points and eight boards.

Gilas dropped to a 0-2 record while Mitsubishi Electric has yet to lose in two games.