Gilas Pilipinas Women’s received a rude welcome in the 2019 FIBA Asia-Oceania Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament as host New Zealand gave it a 54-111 beatdown, Thursday at Trusts Arena.
After keeping pace with the Tall Ferns in the first 10 minutes of action, the Filipinas struggled in the second frame to contain their opponents. Tessa Boagni and the Kiwis then made it rain on Gilas, scoring a whopping 37 points to gain a 32-point lead to end the half.
It was all New Zealand from there, as it led by as much as 57 points in the contest.
The loss sent Gilas to a must-win game versus South Korea on Thursday. Only the top two teams in Group A will advance to the OQT proper next year.
Only six Gilas players scored in the contest. Afril Bernardino led the way with 17 points on 50-percent shooting from the field, 7-of-9 from the foul stripe.
Kelli Hayes and Janine Pontejos both had 10 markers each, while Jack Animam was the team’s leading rebounder with eight boards. As a team, however, Gilas only had 25 rebounds compared to 61 for New Zealand.
Boagni and Penina Davidson had 16 markers each to power New Zealand, with the latter also grabbing 11 boards as well. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Karaitiana and Antonia Edmondson added 13 and 12 points respectively.
Kalani Purcell glued things together for New Zealand with 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two points.
The Scores:
Philippines 54 – Bernardino 17, Pontejos 10, Hayes 10, Miranda 9, Castillo 6, Animam 2, Cabinbin 0, Jose 0, Tongco 0, Chan 0, Nabalan 0.
New Zealand 111 – Boagni 16, Davidson 16, Karaitiana 13, Edmondson 12, Taylor 11, Paalvast 9, Cocks 8, Leger-Walker 8, Beck 8, Blair 6, Purcell 2, Fotu 2.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 28-60, 47-83, 54-111.
