THE Gilas Pilipinas Under-18 Women squad salvaged some measure of pride yesterday after a heartrending loss two days ago.
Charging back from a 14-point second quarter deficit, the young Filipina cagers clobbered Samoa 84-68 in their battle for third in the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asian Championship Division B at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru.
Sumayah Sugapong banged in 27 points, hauled down six rebounds, and issued two assists for Gilas Women, while Louna Ozar complemented her with 15 markers and six boards.
Kristan Yumul also had 14 points, five rebounds, three dimes, while Ashley Loon and Kate Bobadilla combined for 21 for the Pat Aquino-mentored lasses.
With the gutsy win, Gilas Women bagged the bronze in the meet after absorbing a 65-66 overtime setback at the hands of Malaysia last Saturday in the semifinals that ended their hopes of gaining promotion to Division A in 2024.
Only the champion of the Sept. 5 to 11 tourney will earn a promotion to Division A.
Gilas Women downed the Samoans 66-59 in their group stage clash last Tuesday.
The Philippines trailed 27-41 in the second quarter and 31-41 at the half.
But Sugapong anchored a furious 22-4 binge capped by a Camille Nolasco layup that gave the nationals a 53-45 lead at the 3:40 mark of the third canto.
Gilas took a 59-49 lead heading into the payoff period and did not look back from there, padding its edge to as much as 84-68 on Bobadilla’s two free throws in the last 6.0 seconds that stood as the final count.
Malia Jae Ruud led Samoa with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists, while Kira-May Filemu and Leiana-Nila Talase Leiataatimu had 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
The Gilas Women Under-16 side also won a bronze medal in the Asian youth tilt last June in Amman.
Division A is made up of Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, India, and Indonesia.
