Gilas Pilipinas Women could not overcome the experience of host Japan.
The Philippines fell to Japan, 11-21, in the gold medal match of the women’s 3×3 basketball tournament at the 20th Asian Games on Friday at Kinjo Futo Station Square in Nagoya.
Excellent shot-making by the Japanese doomed Gilas early, as the hosts raced to an 11-5 lead.
Kacey dela Rosa tried to power the Philippines back, cutting the deficit to 8-12 with 3:07 remaining. However, Yuki Hirashita answered with a deuce to halt Gilas’ comeback bid.
Japan pulled away from there, with Hirashita drilling the gold-clinching deuce with 31.2 seconds remaining.
Dela Rosa finished with six points and three rebounds, while Amyah Espanol and Kennan Ka added three and two points, respectively. Victoria Pasilang went scoreless but still contributed four rebounds.
Hirashita and Sakura Horiuchi led Japan with three deuces apiece, finishing with nine and eight points, respectively.
Despite the loss, the silver medal marked the Philippines’ best-ever finish in 3×3 basketball at the Asian Games.
Gilas Women dominated the pool phase, beating Mongolia, Macao, and Malaysia.
In the playoffs, the Philippines cruised past Singapore, 22-12, and Thailand, 13-8, to advance to the gold medal match.
Their men’s counterparts, on the other hand, fell short of a podium finish after losing to Iran in the bronze medal match.
