Gilas Pilipinas Women did not have the dream 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A start they wanted, absorbing a harsh 105-34 rout at the hands of home team Australia on Monday at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
This is the Philippines’ worst loss at the hands of the Opals in four tries as the Filipinas were able to breach the 50-point barrier in their encounters from 2017 to 2021.
It was a nightmare start for Gilas Women, who shot just 19.35-percent from the field, 5-of-27 from deep.
The Philippines was also greatly out-rebounded in the contest, 64-22.
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Vanessa De Jesus was the sole bright spot for Gilas, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
De Jesus scored her first points in a Gilas jersey with 4:43 left. By then, the Opals were already up 16-7 before ending the quarter at 30-7.
The Duke Blue Devil then heated up in the second stanza, scoring 11 of Gilas’ 16 points in the quarter.
“They played tough today. They made an adjustment on Vanessa in the second quarter and we did not adjust quickly. We had free shots that weren’t just falling. With that, we were struggling already and the defense… They are huge,” said head coach Patrick Aquino.
No one else scored in double-figures for Patrick Aquino’s team, including Jack Animam who went scoreless for the game, missing all six of her attempts.
With the win, Australia took a share of Group B lead with Japan, who took a 94-53 win over Chinese-Taipei earlier in the day.
All Opals fielded scored in the game with Darcee Garbin leading the way with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Lauren Scherf added 17 points and nine rebounds while Chloe Bibby got 11 points.
Gilas will next face defending champion Japan on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
“It’s going to be pretty hard again. It’s really hard coming back from big losses. We have to focus on the game against Japan and let this pass,” said Aquino.
The Opals will have Chinese-Taipei next also on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
The Scores:
Philippines 34 – De Jesus 18, Bernardino 4, Cabinbin 4, Clarin 3, Surada 3, Joson 2, Animam 0, Pontejos 0, Castillo 0, Ozar 0, Fajardo 0, Cacho 0.
Australia 105 – Garbin 18, Scherf 17, Bibby 11, Kunek 10, Froling 10, Horvat 10, Maley 8, Heal 7, Nicholson 5, Madgen 2, Atwell 1.
Quarterscores: 7-30, 23-56, 28-78, 34-105.
