PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Defense is becoming the main weapon of Gilas Pilipinas Women as they left Singapore bleeding for points in booking a 94-63 victory in the women’s basketball event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Thursday at the Elephant 2 Hall of the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
After leading by only seven, 45-38, at the half, the Filipinas switched on their defensive intensity and held the Singaporeans scoreless in the first six minutes of the third period en route to their second straight victory.
The defensive pressure allowed Gilas to unload 15 unanswered points with main Janine Pontejos leading the attack.
Khate Castillo bannered the scoring parade with 14 points while Afril Bernardino and Ella Fajardo chipped in 11 markers apiece for Gilas, who led by as many as 33 points, 94-61, in the closing seconds off a Clare Castro basket.
Bernardino also had nine rebounds and an assist while Castro fired 10 points even as Angelica Surada brought down 12 rebounds.
Amanda Zhiyan led Singapore with 18 markers while Chu Yin Chan added 13 markers.
Gilas coach Patrick Aquino admitted to Daily Tribune that fatigue is now starting to take its toll on the players, especially after battling a Cambodian squad that was spiked with naturalized players.
“It was a tiring game yesterday (Wednesday), but we really needed them to push for a good game in the second half,” said Aquino, whose wards opened their campaign with a 115-54 win over the home team on Wednesday.
“I told them to just play their game. It’s the motion of playing together and not getting frustrated. Hopefully, we can address that slow start habit when we face Indonesia.”
The Filipinas will face Indonesia at 2 p.m. (Manila time) on Friday for a chance to emerge as the No. 1 team heading into the crossover semifinals.
