Gilas Women bounce back with win over Iran in Jones Cup

FILE–Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Jhazmin.—PHOTO BY FIBA ASIA

Still licking its wounds from a botched comeback the night before, the Philippines made sure that it got the job done with a 64-58 nipping of Iran in the women’s showcase of the 42nd Jones Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Gilas Pilipinas Women used a strong third quarter, outscoring Iran 26-9, to wrest control of the contest at Taipei Heping Basketball Stadium.

That commendable showing led to a cushion that kept the Iranians in the backseat until the final horn.

Jhaz Joson and rookie Kacey dela Rosa starred with 12 points apiece, helping Gilas Women bounce back from their loss to the Chinese-Taipei main squad on Saturday.

Jack Animam, Gabi Bade and Andrea Tongco all chipped in seven points each, while Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, and Monique del Carmen added five each as the Pat Aquino-mentored squad improved to 1-1 in the tournament.

Iran tried to make the game interesting behind the late efforts of Rosulipour Negin and Asadi Nahideh, but the Gilas lead built off that feisty third quarter proved too much to overhaul.

Negin finished with 18, while Nahideh 11 as the Iranians remained winless in two games.

Up next for the Gilas is a Chinese-Taipei B squad also eager to rebound from a loss. The two squads battle this Monday at 5 p.m.