Gilas Pilipinas Women put up a gallant stand against Japanese club team Mitsubishi Electric.
Time though was not on their side as the national squad was dealt a heartbreaking 82-85 loss by the Koalas, Thursday afternoon at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.
Down double-digits for most of the game and 10 entering the final quarter, Janine Pontejos and Clare Castro sparked Gilas’ rally. The two combined to score 15 of the Philippines’ 23 points during that span, including three triples.
However, Aya Watanabe and Asako O though did enough to fend off the Filipinas.
Pontejos paced the Philippines, who fell to 0-2 in the 2019 William Jones Cup, with 18 points built on five triples while Castro chipped in nine markers.
Mei-Lyn Bautista, who was limited to just eight points against New Zealand yesterday, had 16 points on four triples to keep Gilas in pace with Mitsubishi Electric. Afril Bernardino added 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two assists.
Watanabe led the unbeaten Japanese squad with 22 points.
Gilas will next face Chinese Taipei Blue on Friday at 6:00 pm.
The Scores:
Philippines 82 – Pontejos 18, Bautista 16, Bernardino 11, Castro 9, Hawkins 7, Animam 5, Hayes 5, Jose 4, Bade 3, Miranda 2, Cabinbin 2, Claro 0.
Mitsubishi Electric 85 – Watanabe 22, O 14, Ikeya 11, Kawai 10, Nagai 9, Nishioka 8, Misaki 4, Sakuragi 3, Shinomiya 2, Tashiro 0.
Quarterscores: 13-25, 33-46, 59-69, 82-85.
