Animam, Pontejos catch fire but Gilas Women unable to upset Japan in final Jones Cup game
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The duo of Jack Animam and Janine Pontejos took the scoring cudgels for Gilas Pilipinas Women, but their effort went for naught as they fell prey to Japanese club Chanson V-Magic, 95-88, to wrap up their 2023 William Jones Cup campaign on Wednesday in Taiwan.
Animam showed no signs of fatigue despite playing five day straights of competition, churning out a double-double output of 19 points and 10 rebounds alongside two assists, two blocks, and one steal as the Philippines ended the tourney with a 1-4 win-loss card.
The Japanese squad, meanwhile, capped off a flawless run with a 5-0 slate to clinch its third consecutive Jones Cup title.
Pontejos was the leading scorer with 20 markers behind a 4-of-7 three-point shooting percentage laced with two boards, two dimes, and two swats while another seasoned baller, Afril Bernardino, chipped in 11 points in the loss.
Gilas stared at a 12-point deficit early in the second quarter, 23-35, before Pontejos and Jhazmin Joson connived for two triples each to power an 18-9 run and cut their deficit to just three at the half, 41-44.
They then tied things up at 52-all in the third frame before Gabi Bade caught fire, burying a triple followed by a putback bucket from Kacey Dela Rosa for the lead, 64-61. The Philippines headed to the fourth quarter carrying a slim 68-65 cushion.
Kimika Takanohashi proved to be a threat for the Filipinas as the Japanese guard detonated for two three-pointers for a 77-73 lead before an assist from her led to an 86-81 cushion.
Takanohashi's last-gasp triple with 31 seconds left sealed it for Japan as they survived a scare from Gilas to remain undefeated.
She finished with 32 points on eight triples made to go with two rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News