Fifth-ranked 3×3 basketball team in women’s basketball Netherlands found their range late, silencing hosts Perlas Pilipinas 3×3, 20-11, Friday afternoon at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The Philippines dropped to 0-1 in Pool D of the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup, while Netherlands goes to 1-0.
“Maybe first time jitters for everybody. Having a tournament like this, sometimes you get jittery, sometimes di nila ngagagawa yung mga kailangan nilang gawin,” shared head coach Patrick Aquino. “I hope i explained everything to them earlier but what’s happening, what we’re supposed to do, what’s gonna happen, and hopefully we can manage everything.”
Janine Pontejos paced Perlas with six points, spiked by two two-point shots. Afril Bernardino added four markers.
Perlas 3×3 was on top early in the contest, 3-2, before Netherlands found their range from downtown. A 10-2 run by the the Dutch – capped by a Jacobine Klerx triple with 6:07 left – gave them a 12-2 edge.
National University legend Bernardino provided a spark for the Philippines, scoring three markers in a 6-1 run to slice the deficit to two with 3:47 left.
“Positive we were head to head with them. They’re more experienced. and that’s one thing that we lacked. That’s why I always say exposure is the best going into this kind of level,” Aquino added.
However, back-to-back long range bombs by Karin Kuijt stopped the Philippines’ comeback attempt, while a bucket by Klerx sealed the win with 1:49 still on the clock.
Kuijt had a game-high nine points, knocking down four two-point baskets.
The Philippines will next face Germany in the night-capper at 6:40pm.
The Scores:
NED 21 — Kuijt 9, Klerx 7, Bettonvil 4, Beld 1.
PHI 11 — Pontejos 6, Bernardino 4, Animam 1, Miranda 0.
