Gilas Women secure last 8 berth even after loss to Japan

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas Women ended pool play in the 19th Asian Games on a bittersweet note, yielding to continental powerhouse Japan, 96-59, on Sunday, October 1, in Hangzhou, China.

Despite the loss, the Filipinas advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 record along with Japan (3-0) after emerging as the top two performers in Group B.

Hong Kong (1-2) and Kazakhstan (0-3) bowed out as only the top two teams in each of the four groups secured berths in the last eight. 

Japan had a great start, zooming to a quick 11-0 spurt against Gilas Women and never looked back.

The Philippines also suffered a tough blow when national team veteran Afril Bernardino suffered a leg injury at the 4:55 mark of the second quarter and had to be carried off the court, with the Philippines trailing, 23-40.

Bernardino did not return, with the skipper ending the contest with 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Gilas Women trailed by as many as 39 points, 96-57, with 33 seconds left, after an inside stab by Azusa Asahina.

The Japanese offense was on-point from the interior, shooting 22/36 for a 61% clip.

Janine Pontejos was the Philippines’ lone double-digit scorer with 13 points, while Jack Animam contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds.

Aika Hirashita fired a game-high 26 points, while Saki Hayashi chipped in 17 for the Japanese.

The knockout quarterfinal round starts on Monday, October 2. 

The Scores

Japan 96 – Hirashita 26, Hayashi 17, Akaho 12, Hoshi 10, Todo 8, Motohashi 7, Miyazaki 5, Okoye 4, Takada 3, Asahina 2, Yabu 2, Kawai 0.

Philippines 59 – Pontejos 13, Animam 9, Cabinbin 9, Castillo 8, Del Carmen 6, Ozar 5, Cacho 4, Tongco 3, Bernardino 2, Berberabe 0, Guytingco 0, Nolasco 0.

Quarters: 35-14, 50-26, 66-39, 96-59. 

— Rappler.com