Finally, a breakthrough win for the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team.
Banking heavily on a torrid third quarter tear, the Filipinas downed Iran, 64-60, Sunday afternoon to nail their first-ever victory in the William Jones Cup tournament at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium.
“It was a relief that we notched our first win,” women’s team head coach Pat Aquino said in an online interview, delighted that the Philippines’ had succeeded in posting a win in the cagefest, its first since its tournament debut in 2019.
Aquino said the Jones Cup will serve as a major buildup for the squad’s stint in the 19th Asian games in Hangzhou next month.
“Winning is hard to come by, especially in the Jones Cup where all the teams competing are good,” Aquino added.
The Filipinas outgunned the Iranians, 26-9, in the third canto behind another solid game from Kacey dela Rosa, who fired 12 points on top of eight rebounds.
Fellow Atenean Jhazmine Joson also produced the same number of points as the team made up for their losing debut against host Taiwan, 89-85.
