RP cagebelles eye 2nd win vs Malaysians

THE DISCOVERY Perlas ng Pilipinas national team needs to solve Malaysia’s potent inside game to notch a second straight victory in the 7th Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba)Women’s Championship today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“We could beat them (Malaysians) if we contain their frontline,” said Discovery Perlas coach Haydee Ong.

A victory for the RP cagebelles, who drubbed Singapore, 101-34, on opening night, will put them in a good spot for one of two championship slots after the elimination round of the five-team tournament.

After the single-round format, the top two teams will fight for the gold medal.

But Malaysia is not a formidable foe as shown by its 64-78 loss to defending champion Thailand yesterday.

Phichayavee Panurushthanon and Naruemol Banmoo combined for 32 points for Thailand.

In the other match, Indonesia bounced back from a harrowing defeat to Malaysia during the opener by repulsing Singapore, 70-61, behind the heroics of Yulanda Wati and Nathasa Debby Christaline.

Ong said Malaysia also owns a decent perimeter game to go with its strength from the paint.

“We will work on our inside game but we also have to watch out for their perimeter shooting,” said Ong.

Cassy Tioseco, Ana Tolentino, Melissa Jacob and Aurora Adriano should provide the inside presence for Discovery Perlas while Merenciana Arayi, Sylvia Valencia, Angeli Gloriano and Chovi Borja will provide the defensive muscle.
“We’re trying to develop our killer instinct,” said Ong.

Also expected to provide quality minutes are Diana Rose Jose, Katrina Pineda, Joan Grajales and Bernadette Mercado.