Just like their sisters in Gilas Women’s last week in the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup, the Gilas Girls 3×3 quartet defied the odds.
Angelica Surada proved her worth in overtime to lift the Philippines to a thrilling 15-14 victory over the Czech Republic to advance to the next stage of the 2019 FIBA 3×3 Under-18 World Cup, Wednesday evening in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
With the game being sent to a sudden death period, Surada, a product of Chiang Kai Shek College high school, drew first blood but was answered right back by a free throw courtesy of Pavlína Tabačková.
The pick-and-roll though proved to be the weapon of choice for Gilas as a beautiful screen by Surada for Ella Fajardo. Surada’s first attempt was swatted away but she was able to will her self for another attempt that resulted to the game-winner.
Surada, who was held scoreless against the Netherlands, finished with three points.
The win gave the Philippines its third win in Pool C. Their sole loss came at the hands of world no. 3 France, 22-2.
After beating Mongolia, the Netherlands, and Czech Republic, Gilas moves on to the next stage of the tournament on Friday, June 7. The young Filipinas take on China in the knockout quarterfinals at 1:50 pm.
Camille Clarin, the hero against the Netherlands, finished with nine points. The Filipino-Canadian helped the Philippines erect a 13-8 lead with 2:35 left.
Sára Kocourková though willed the Czechs back, cutting the lead to just two with 18.1 seconds remaining.
Getting a stop, Tabačková nailed a buzzer-beating deuce to send the game into extra time.
Tabačková had nine points for the young Czechs.
Czech Republic ended its campaign with a 1-3 record.
The Scores:
Philippines 15 –– Clarin 7, Fajardo 3, Surada 3, Pingol 2.
Czech Republic 14 — Tabackova 9, Kocourkova 3, Helebrantova 2, Kubenova 0
