Gilas Women’s hopes of a gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games 3×3 basketball are still alive and kicking, Monday afternoon.
With the earlier heartbreaking loss to Thailand still stinging, the Filipinas dumped their frustrations on Vietnam, 21-12, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Figuring in a 12-all stalemate, Janine Pontejos waxed hot from beyond the arc. She detonated consecutive long bombs to give the Philippines a four-point cushion at 16-12. Clare Castro and Afril Bernardino then ballooned the lead to seven, inching closer to the victory, 19-12.
Needing a deuce to book a trip to the Finals, Pontejos took matters into her own hands. She drained one from rainbow country to wrap up the Vietnamese with 3:14 to spare.
Pontejos connected on a troika of two-pointers to finish with a team-high eight points. Jack Animam, who dealt the damage early on, had six. Bernardino and Castro added four and three, respectively.
The Philippines shall next face Thailand in the winner-take-all title bout. Vietnam, on the other hand, will square off against Malaysia for a bronze medal.
