THIS is one loss that hurts the most.
Misfiring from the outside, the erstwhile unbeaten Gilas Pilipinas Women squad absorbed a stunning 73-88 loss to Samoa last Wednesday night in the semifinals of the FIBA Under-16 Women’s Asian Championship Division B at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman.
A Kristan Geyl Yumul three-pointer pulled Gilas Women to within 61-74 at the 7:50 mark of the fourth quarter but that proved to be their last chance as the Samoans held their ground the rest of the way.
Kira-May Filemu did it all for Samoa with 36 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, while Azaleeah Oloapu added 18 markers, 19 boards, and seven dimes.
Sienna Tutani also notched a triple-double of 11 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists as Samoa more than made up for a 65-94 shellacking at the hands of Gilas Women last Sunday in group play.
Gilas Women tangled with Lebanon at press time last night for third place as the young Filipina cagers failed in their bid to return to Division A play for the first time after 13 years.
The winner will be retained in Division B of the tourney, while the champion will be promoted to Division A of the 2023 FIBA U-16 Women’s Asian Championship.
Naomi Panganiban led the nationals with 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, and four steals, while Yumul could only make three of her 18 triple tries to wind up with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, and five steals.
Ava Fajardo added 14 and four, while Gabby Ramos finished with eight points and eight caroms.
The belles of coaches Julie Amos and Brian Rosario only boomed in nine of their 41 attempts from beyond the arc for a measly 21 percent.
After taking a 50-33 spread at the half, Samoa led by as much as 59-32 on an Oloapu jumper at the 7:37 mark of the third canto. — Michael Jugado
