FOR the second straight game, the Gilas Pilipinas Women squad simply could not hack it against a powerhouse foe.
The Filipina cagers absorbed a 57-95 loss to reigning five-time champion and Tokyo Games silver medalist Japan yesterday in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A play at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in Australia.
United States NCAA standout Vanessa De Jesus of Duke University fired 12 points and issued four assists for Gilas Women, while Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Gilas Women came off a 34-105 manhandling from Australia in their opener last Monday.
National coach Pat Aquino saw a silver lining despite their defeat.
“It’s a tough team to beat. They’re aiming for a sixth straight FIBA Asia championship, and I think Japan is a great team,” Aquino said.
“We just happened to be on the wrong side. But we’re happy, I’m happy with the game, and hopefully we continue to get stronger each day,” he added.
Gilas Women clashes with Chinese Taipei today in a must-win situation for a chance to advance in the qualification to the semis among second and third-ranked teams.
The loser will be sent to the relegation game. The team that fails in the relegation will be demoted to Group B.
Only the No. 1 squad from each group will gain outright slots in the Final Four of the tourney that serves as a qualifier for the Paris Olympics.
“We did our best, and I think they played well as a group, and nobody just bowed their heads (despite Japan being) on a lead, such a big lead,” Aquino said. “They kept on fighting and competing, and that’s what we aim for right now. Again, it’s a good game for us. We have to really maintain that energy, to maintain our focus on the things that we have to do.”
