Vanessa De Jesus shines in debut, but Gilas Women fall to Australia in FIBA Women's Asia Cup opener

Vanessa De Jesus' impressive debut was not enough as Gilas Pilipinas Women fell prey to host Australia, 105-34, to kick off their 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup campaign on Monday at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.

De Jesus, who plays for Duke University in the US NCAA Division I, finished with a team-high 18 points alongside two blocks to be the only Filipina to reach the double-digit mark.

Gilas now stands at 0-1 in Group B while Australia opened its bid with a 1-0 card. The Philippines will need to finish at least at the third spot in the group stage in order to advance to the playoffs.

Down 23 early, the 21-year-old De Jesus instigated a mini rally courtesy of three straight three-pointers to trim their deficit to just 18, 38-20, with 4:04 left in the second period.

But the world no. 3 Opals countered with a huge 18-3 closing rampage to take a 56-23 halftime lead before they unleashed a merciless basketball in the third frame, limiting the Filipinas to just five points for a whopping 78-28 lead ahead of the payoff period.

During that period, only Chack Cabinbin scored a field goal for the Philippines as the hosts were unstoppable on both ends.

Veterans Afril Bernardino and Cabinbin each finished with just four points as Jack Animam, Khate Castillo, and Ella Fajardo were held to scoreless outings.

Darcee Garbin led Australia with 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists while Lauren Scherf chipped in 17 markers. Australia outrebounded Gilas Pilipinas, 62 to 22, while also having 31 assists against the Philippines' three.

Gilas will look to bounce back on Tuesday, but it will be a taller task as it takes on five-time reigning Asia Cup champion Japan at 1:30 p.m. (Manila time).

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News