PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Gilas Pilipinas Women turned on its defensive switch in the second period to shut down Cambodia and turn a close game into a rout, 114-54, in the women’s basketball event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Wednesday at the Elephant Hall 2 of the Morodok Techo National Stadium here.
Pushed to the limit by the Cambodians, who wasted no time in fielding their naturalized players, the Filipinas banked on their speed and aggressive defensive approach in the second period to completely change the complexion of the game.
A three-point shot from the corner by Camille Clarin pushed the Philippines to its first sizeable lead at 34-20 with 6:43 left in the second period, the same time when Cambodian head coach Kao Kanaly was ejected after being slapped with his second technical foul.
Kanaly’s ejection demoralized the home squad, allowing the Filipinas to continue their rally and attack the basket to set the stage for the 60-point massacre.
By half time, the Philippines already posted a whopping 58-31 advantage with guard Ella Fajardo leading the way with 12 points and Janine Pontejos contributing nine markers, including two three-pointers.
Fajardo went on to finish with 17 points followed by the returning Jack Animam with 16 markers.
Chak Cabinbin contributed 12 while Afril Bernardino and Clarin had 11 apiece for the Filipinas, who are looking to regain the gold medal they lost in the previous edition of the Games in Hanoi.
The Gilas Pilipinas Men squad was in attendance — from the coaching staff to team officials and players — to support the cagebelles, who anticipated a fierce duel against the souped-up Cambodian side powered by naturalized players Brittany Dinkins, Meghan Simmons, Mariah Cooks and Kim Hanlon.
‘Our practice was more about reminders on our game against Cambodia and give our players the feel of the game.’
Prior to the match, Gilas head coach Patrick Aquino got a big lift from the Filipino community here who helped them find a practice venue.
“We were able to find one and practiced at the Cambodia Clubhouse, which was a bit far from where we’re staying but a more convenient practice facility,” Aquino told Daily Tribune in an interview.
“Our practice was more about reminders on our game against Cambodia and give our players the feel of the game.”
Gilas Women’s victory over the powerhouse host country was one of the positive developments in the country’s slow, dry campaign entering the midway mark of the competition.
Save for Joseph Arcilla, who made history when he became the first Filipino soft tennis player to win a men’s singles crown, there was nothing to celebrate for Team Philippines, which fell to the fifth spot in the medal tally as of 7 p.m. with 26 gold, 43 silver and 50 bronze medals following a fruitful day on Tuesday that saw the vaunted gymnastics team contributing three gold medals and jumper Janry Ubas claiming his first SEA Games crown and Teia Salvino shattering the record in women’s 100-meter backstroke.
The national women’s badminton team bowed to Indonesia, 0-3, in the semifinals to settle for the bronze medal while the national pencak silat team wrapped up its campaign without a gold medal to show, finishing with two silver and eight bronze medals.
The national golfers were also unsuccessful with Rianne Malixi tying for fourth in women’s play and Enrique Dimayuga finishing joint fifth in the men’s side.
