Gilas Pilipinas Women guard Afril Bernardino shoots against Vietnam in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Ariya Kurniawan | Instagram @ariyakurniawan16
MANILA, Philippines—Even with their three-peat bid now beyond reach, Gilas Pilipinas Women still played with pride and zest all of Saturday afternoon to whip Vietnam, 116-58, in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball competition.
Gilas Women shot the three-ball with deadly accuracy and then cleaned up the boards with much vigor at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh to atone for a 21-point beatdown at the hands of Indonesia the other day that doomed its hopes for another gold medal.
Khate Castillo had 22 points built on a 7-for-12 three-point shooting, while program fixtures Jack Animam, Clare Castro, Janine Pontejos, Camile Clarin and Afril Bernardino all delivered at least 11 points as Gilas improved to 3-1 in the race.
Thao Vy Truong led the way for the opposition with 15 points, while American-Vietnamese Mailee Jones chipped in nine in the losing effort that had Vietnam to 1-3.
Coach Pat Aquino and Gilas Women players celebrate on the bench during a game against Vietnam in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Ariya Kurniawan | Instagram @ariyakurniawan16
It was the largest victory the defending champions scored in this tournament. They also outrebounded the enemy 58-35. The Filipinas, however, are now just shooting for a silver medal at best.
Indonesia is on pace to claim the gold medal and it still has host Cambodia and Singapore on its schedule. Timnas needs just one win over the two bottom-dwellers to tighten the noose on the championship.
The Philippines’ bid, meanwhile, can still be downgraded to a bronze medal at worst. Gilas still has games against Thailand and perennial contender Malaysia which is also last year’s bronze medalist.
“I told my players that there is nothing to be ashamed of, no matter how this tournament ends for us,” coach and program director Patrick Aquino said on Friday night.
“I am very proud that they never gave up,” he added.
Gilas battles Thailand this Sunday, 12 p.m. (Manila time).
The Scores:
Philippines (116) – Castillo 22, Animam 16, Castro 15, Bernardino 12, Pontejos 11, Clarin 11, Tongco 9, Fajardo 7, Berberabe 4, Cabinbin 4, Guytingco 3, Surada 2.
Vietnam (58) – Truong TV 15, Jones 9, Duy 8, Tran 7, Truong TM 6, Bui KN 4, Tien 3, Bui TH 2, Hang 2, Huynh 2, Vo 0.
Quarterscores: 35-25, 68-34, 95-44, 116-58.