Gilas Women fall to powerhouse Japan to go 0-2 in FIBA Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas Women put up some fight but ultimately bowed to five-time defending champion Japan, 95-57, to remain winless in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Tuesday in Sydney, Australia.

Veteran Afril Bernardino had an all-around outing of 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block while Vanessa De Jesus also finished with 12 points. Janine Pontejos added 11 in the loss.

The Philippines went 0-2 in Pool B while Japan improved to 2-0 to tie host Australia atop the team standings.

Pontejos took over for the Filipinas in the first half, knocking down three of her four three-point attempts to lead the crew with nine points as they stared at a 49-31 halftime deficit.

De Jesus, the lone bright spot in their 105-34 loss yesterday to the Opals with a team-high 18 markers, unloaded back-to-back baskets in the third to help Gilas maintain distance, 58-39, before a triple from Khate Castillo made it just a 16-point deficit for the Filipinas, 62-46.

The Japanese, though, headed into the fourth enjoying a 66-48 cushion and it was all Japan since then as the Philippines only managed to score three field goals in the payoff period. Japan outscored the Philippines, 29-9, in the fourth quarter.

The Philippines will look to salvage its campaign on Wednesday when it takes on Chinese Taipei at 1:30 pm.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News