By Jonas Terrado
The Philippines’ long and arduous wait for a first-ever gold in women’s basketball of the Southeast Asian Games came to an end Tuesday after dominating perennial contender Thailand 91-71 in front of a big crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas Women celebrate after winning the final match against Thailand at the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, December 10, 2019. (EPA-EFE / FRANCIS R. MALASIG)
Behind Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Chack Cabinbin and Khate Castillo, the team known as Gilas Pilipinas Women relied on a big third quarter assault to bury decades of disappointing finishes in the biennial meet.
Animam, who last month suffered a orbital fracture while playing in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in New Zealand, scored 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting while Bernardino produced 10 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocks as the two played the starring roles in the historic feat.
Pontejos and Castillo each made three triples to finish with 16 and 11 points while Cabinbin scored five of her seven in the third that saw Gilas pulling away after a 45-43 halftime lead.
Coach Pat Aquino and his team celebrated as it was already Christmas after clinching the gold via a three-game sweep of the four-team tournament.
The national cagebelles had to beat the podium finishers of the previous SEA Games on their way to the gold.
They overcame second half deficits to beat Indonesia 63-56 and deposed two-time champion Malaysia 81-75 before getting their acts together after squandering a 11-point first half lead to frustrate the Thais.
“Indonesia has always ruined our plans but what I’ve said the last time pag natalo natin Indonesia tingin ko dire-diretso na to. I think that’s the difference,” said Aquino, who fell short of steering the team to a medal in his first two stints as national coach in 2015 and 2017.
“Even though that we know that Malaysia is the defending champion and Thailand is always been there, sabi namin na we have to keep working hard and we’ll make it,” he added.
The Philippines completed a women’s basketball double in these Games after Animam, Bernardino, Pontejos and Clare Castro claimed gold in the inaugural 3×3 tournament.
Tiffany Bias, who plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA, scored 15 points while Supavadee Kunchan posted 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals but the Thais were denied of their first gold since the 2013 Nay Pyi Taw edition.
Pontejos scored 11 in the first as the Philippines led 18-7 at the start. But the Thais eventually tied the score at 41-all Bias and Kunchuan leading the way.
Animam scored six points to begin the third, Pontejos and Cabinbin made baskets while Bernardino stayed active on both ends to put the Philippines ahead 64-48 late in the period.
Scores:
PHILIPPINES 91 — Animam 21, Pontejos 16, Hayes 11, Castillo 11, Bernardino 10, Cabinbin 7, Jose 6, Nabalan 5, Prado 2, Castro 2, Tongco 0, Chan 0.
THAILAND 71 — Bias 15, Kunchuan 12, Udomsuk 12, Yothanan 10, Kaichaiyapoom 5, Maihom 4, Supyen 3, Buapa 3, Klunbut 2, Phromrat 2, Sangmanee 0.
Quarters: 27-20; 45-43; 68-52; 91-71.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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