Gilas Women pull away to rout Hong Kong in Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas Women in the 19th Asian Games.

Gilas Pilipinas Women peeled away from a tight first quarter, keeping Hong Kong to just 26 points in the middle quarters to cruise to a 99-63 victory in the 19th Asian Games women’s basketball tournament in Hangzhou, China, on Friday.

The Philippines’ veteran trio of Janine Pontejos, Afril Bernardino and Jack Danielle Animam came up big for the squad’s second win that had the Nationals rising to 2-0 in the Group B play.

Pontejos starred with 23 points while Bernardino 20, taking turns in the second and third quarter pull-away that pretty much took the fight out of the enemy at Shaoxing Olympic Centre Gymnasium.

Animam chipped in 11 points, and with the two shooters in a groove with plenty of time left, focused on cleaning the glass to ultimately end the contest with 22 rebounds.

Khate Castillo added 17 points off the bench while relative newcomer Louna Ozar 11 more in a big triumph that should help Gilas heading into its acid test this Sunday.

The Philippines will battle perennial podium finisher Japan at Hangzhou Olympic Centre Gymnasium with the victor securing an outright berth in the quarterfinals.

The Akatsuki Five are coming off a massive 92-30 win over Kazakhstan to also stay unbeaten in the race.

Hiu Lui Tong had 15 points, while Sheung Hok Lau 11, skipper Tsz Kwan Li and Po Sze Wong 10 each as Hong Kong remained winless in two matches.