Animam, Pontejos catch fire but Gilas Women unable to upset Japan in final Jones Cup game

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