Perlas Pilipinas 3×3 wanted to end their 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup campaign on a high. On the other hand, Hungary needed a win and to score at least 15 points to punch in the last quarterfinals ticket in Pool D.
Something had to give.
And it was the Hungarians who were able to come out as victors, eking out an 18-15 win over the hosts, Sunday evening at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
In their first-ever outing in the World Cup, the Philippine Women’s 3×3 Basketball National Team ended up winless but put up four gallant stands against the top-tier teams in the world.
“I would like to thank the girls for a good fight. Maybe, this is the start for women’s basketball in a few years,” shared head coach Patrick Aquino.
Hungary, together with Spain, booked the two quarterfinals spots in the group.
Still, Perlas gave a good fight.
Down 3-5, Janine Pontejos once again provided the spark for Perlas, knocking down two free throws and a two-point shot. Jack Animam and Afril Bernardino followed suit to give the Philippines a 10-6 lead midway through the game.
Pontejos finished the game with seven markers, spiked by two triples.
Needing to score easy points as their outside shots were not falling, Bettina Bozoki bulldozed her way in the paint to rally Hungary back. She scored six points in a 7-1 run to not only give her team a four-point edge but also break the 15-point barrier.
Bernardino tried to put on one last attack but time and Hungary’s defense did not allow it.
Bozoki and Dora Medgyessy scored eight points each.
The Scores
HUN 18 – Bozoki 8, Medgyessy 8, Theodorean 1, Rujak 1
PHI 15 – Pontejos 7, Bernardino 4, Miranda 3, Animam 1
