Gilas women fall big to China in Fiba Asia Cup opener
Photo from Fiba.com
MANILA, Philippines—Top-ranked China overwhelmed the Philippines, 143-52, in the 2021 Fiba Women’s Asia Cup late Monday night at Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, Jordan.
Gilas Pilipinas women managed to keep it close early, trailing by just five, 15-10, after Khate Castillo’s triple at the 4:59 mark of the first period.
But it was all China after that as the Chinese went on to outscore the Filipinos, 54-19, for a commanding 69-29 advantage at the half.
China beat the Philippines by an average winning margin of 60.5 points in their previous two meetings in the Asia Cup and their latest encounter was no different.
Behind the play of its guard Yang Liwei, China again proved too much for Gilas, which severely missed the services of its star center Jack Animam.
Animam is in Serbia where she is playing professionally.
Yang Liwei scored 15 of her game-high 21 points in the first half. China shot 67 percent from the field including 12-of-22 from downtown.
Afril Bernardino was the lone Filipino to hit double figures with 17 points.
Gilas’ campaign doesn’t get any easier with world No. 3 Australia coming up on Wednesday.
