Gilas Women title defense in jeopardy after big loss to Indonesia
Gilas Pilipinas center Jack Animan battles for t rebound during a game against Indonesia in the women’s basketball competition at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Ariya Kurniawan | Instagram @ariyakurniawan16
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Women faltered against Indonesia, 89-68, on Friday hurling a monkey wrench into its bid to annex a third straight gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games.
The defending champions had very few answers to an unbeaten Indonesian side that caught fire in the third period, ultimately dooming their stand at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Janine Pontejos led with 11 points, while Chack Cabinbin chipped in 10 more in the losing effort that had Gilas sliding to 2-1 in the race.
“It’s a hard loss,” said nationa coach Pat Aquino. “(Indonesia) is a tough team. They’ve been together for almost three years.
“I told them (Gilas) to never give up. We still have three more games. We’ll never know what will happen.”
The nation with the best record gets to win the gold in this year’s format, and the Philippines will have its work cut out for itself as it goes through the gauntlet with Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia on tap.
Indonesia, meanwhile, has bottom-dwelling Singapore and Cambodia next.
Yuni Anggraeni had 24 points built on a highly efficient shooting performance while naturalized player Kimberley Pierre Louis tossed in 20 points and 15 rebounds for a fourth-straight win that helped Indonesia’s record stay unblemished in four games.
Gilas Women play Vietnam on Saturday at 12 p.m. (Manila time).
