The Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3×3 team led the charge, completing a sweep of Group C after defeating Kyrgyzstan, 21-15, to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 6th Asian Beach Games at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium.
The Filipinas recovered from a slow start, as early defensive lapses allowed Kyrgyzstan to build a lead. Veterans Mikka Cacho and Tantoy Ferrer helped steady the team, slowly trimming the deficit, while Gabi Bade and Kaye Pingol delivered key baskets down the stretch to seal the win over the winless side.
“Defense. Defense is going to be the key to helping us win all of these games. We just had to stay focused on defense because our shots will come if we focus on defense,” Bade said.
“You know, we can’t underestimate any team. Every team is good. So we just have to come out and battle each game.”
Bade finished with five points, while Ferrer led the team with eight. Cacho added seven, while Pingol chipped in one.
The Gilas women now await their quarterfinal opponent, which will come from the winner of the play-in match between Kazakhstan and Macao.
Meanwhile, Gilas Men’s 3×3 team also advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing Pool A with a 2-1 record.
Despite a 14-21 loss to Iran, the Filipinos still topped a three-way tie with Iran and China, emerging No. 1 in the group via total accumulated points.
(C) POC-PSC Media Group
“We accomplished our goal to top our pool. To be honest, the boys deserved to be here. They worked hard, and this is a blessing for us because of the hard work we put in from day one,” Coach Patrick Fran said.
“I think this is big preparation for us going into the quarterfinals tomorrow,” he added.
Jeff Manday led the men with eight points, while Nic Cabañero added six.
Their quarterfinal opponent will be determined on Tuesday.
(C) POC-PSC Media Group
Over at the Tianya Haijiao Venue Cluster, Sunny Villapando and Gry Matibag bowed out in the quarterfinals after a 10-21, 13-21 loss to Japanese sisters Ren and Non Matsumoto.
The pair of Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara also exited in the Last Eight, falling 17-21, 15-21 to Thailand’s Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphonapat.
In teqball, the Philippine men’s doubles team of Prince Agustin and Anel Pacis Jr. ended their campaign after back-to-back defeats at the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club.
They fell first to Lebanon, 6-12, 7-12, before suffering another straight-sets loss to Laos, 9-12, 9-12.
Despite taking early leads in both matches, the Filipinos could not sustain their momentum as late surges from their opponents sealed their exit from contention.
In mixed doubles, Precious Tabucol and Klyde Polca also struggled, absorbing a 1-12, 2-12 loss to host China before another defeat to Cambodia, 4-12, 3-12, closing out the Philippines’ teqball campaign.
