Gilas Women go for winning end to Jones Cup campaign

FILE – Gilas Pilipinas’ Jack Animam at the Fiba Women’s Asia Cup in Australia. Photo from Fiba

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Women hope to end their campaign on a high note in the William Jones Cup on Wednesday night.

With Japan having already clinched the title, Gilas will go for the next best thing, which is to finish with a winning record in the tournament.

The Nationals, bannered by veterans Jack Animam and Afril Bernardino, can do just that with a victory over Chinese-Taipei A later at 7 p.m. at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan.

READ: Gilas women set sights on Jones Cup after U18 success

It has been an up-and-down campaign for Gilas so far after splitting its first four games.

The Filipinos lost to Chinese-Taipei B in the opener on Saturday before bouncing back to beat Malaysia, 74-63, a day later.

Gilas then, suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Japan, 85-83, after coming back from a double-digit deficit.

The Philippines kept its slim title hopes alive on Tuesday after holding off Thailand, 68-58, to improve to 2-2 but a victory by Japan over Malaysia in the following game sealed the championship for the Japanese.

Last year, Gilas finished fifth in a six-team field with just one win to show.