The journey did not get any easier for Perlas Pilipinas.
After being given a tough welcome to the Division A basketball by defending champions Japan last Sunday, Perlas Pilipinas was taught another lesson Monday, bowing to fourth-ranked team in the world Australia Opals, 107-65, at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bangalore, India.
Perlas, the Philippines’ Women’s National Basketball Team, dropped to a 0-2 slate in Group B.
Former University of the East Lady Warrior Janine Pontejos led the Philippines 18 points. Allana Lim added 11 markers.
After shooting just 29 percent from the field in their opening game, the Filipinas shot at a higher clip this time, shooting 25-for-62 against the Opals. However, Perlas was overwhelmed by the Asia Cup debutantes during the second frame.
Down 23-43 after a jumper by Lim with 7:21 left in the opening half, Perlas went on a slump, missing their next 10 shots and figuring into multiple turnovers that the Australians took advantage off.
On the other end, Australia went on to score 29 straight points capped by an Alanna Smith basket early in the third frame to give the Aussies an imposing 72-23 lead.
A triple by Pontejos with 8:59 left in the third frame ended the eight-minute drought.
UAAP Season 79 Most Valuable Player Afril Bernardino gave a better showing this game, finishing with eight points, while France Cabinbin added seven. But Perlas was overpowered by the taller Australian team, committing 26 fouls that led to 26 free throw attempts for Australia.
Five-foot-10 Stephanie Cumming powered Australia with 18 points off the bench, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the stripe. Sara Blicavs added 17 markers, eight boards, six dimes, and four steals.
The Philippines will next face continental rivals South Korea on Tuesday, July 25, at 6:00pm.
The Scores:
Perlas Pilipinas (65) – Pontejos 18, Lim 11, Bernardino 8, Cabinbin 7, Resultay 6, Almazan 4, Sambile 4, Tongco 3, Dy 2, Animam 0, Castro 0.
Australia Opals (107) – Cumming 18, Blicavs 17, Smith 12, Mansfield 12, Ebzery 12, Hodges 10, Griffin 9, Kunek 6, Garrick 6, Lavey 3, Snell 2.
Quarterscores: 14-38, 23-68, 46-89, 65-107.
