The Philippines will be sending two teams to the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China, next month.
A month after the Under-21 boys’ team punched its ticket to the world stage at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas Women achieved the same feat, downing Chinese Taipei, 17-15, in the Stop 6 final of the FIBA 3×3 Nations League-Asia SEA Conference on Sunday at Hextar World, Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
The Philippines needed to win the leg, as it held only a 30-point lead over Chinese Taipei and New Zealand heading into the final stop.
The Filipinas delivered under pressure, finishing with 510 points — 30 points clear of Chinese Taipei — to secure their spot in the Under-23 World Cup.
And it was all because of Amyah Espanol.
Gilas Women’s hopes of advancing to the World Cup looked dead in the water with 50 seconds left in the game, as they trailed Chinese Taipei, 15-11, in the final.
Espanol knocked down a corner deuce to cut the lead to two with 44 seconds remaining.
Off a Taiwanese turnover, Espanol scored on an and-one to tie the game.
Another steal by Espanol on the next possession led to Chinese Taipei committing an unsportsmanlike foul on her, which she converted into two free throws for the go-ahead points.
Misses from deep by Chinese Taipei closed out the game and punched the Philippines’ second ticket to Wuhan.
Espanol scored 12 points in the final and was supported by Victoria Pasilang and Kennan Ka, who contributed four and one point, respectively. Jam Meniano completed the Philippine quartet.
Earlier, the Filipinas opened the group phase with a 17-10 win over Thailand before ending New Zealand’s hopes of advancing with a 14-13 escape.
The Kiwis had to replace Maya Taingahue for the final stop due to injury, bringing in Niamh Chamberlain.
Maia Jones was still unstoppable in the contest, scoring eight points and even giving New Zealand a 12-11 lead with less than two minutes remaining.
Espanol knocked down two free throws for the go-ahead points, while Pasilang scored inside to give Gilas a 14-12 lead.
Missed free throws by New Zealand proved costly, while Aria Cowley’s basket came too late.
Pasilang scored six points against New Zealand, while Espanol added five.
