Gilas Pilipinas Women’s three-peat hopes suffered a major blow after losing steam versus Indonesia, 89-68, in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games basketball tilt, Friday at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Yuni Anggraeni and Kim Pierre-Louis caused much of the damage to the Filipina cagers as the two starred in Timnas’ fiery third-quarter breakaway en route to remaining undefeated at 4-0 in the single round-robin tournament.
Now, they only need to sweep their two remaining games against Cambodia and Singapore, respectively, to clinch their first-ever SEAG women’s crown.
The Philippines, on the other hand, fell to third with a 2-1 card. It will need to sweep all its matches versus Vietnam (1-2), Thailand (1-2), and Malaysia (3-1), in that order, to keep its slim chances of retaining the title alive.
Janine Pontejos led Gilas with 11 points, while Chack Cabinbin was the only other double-digit scorer with 10 in the loss. The team shot just 34-percent from the field, including a measly 5-of-21 clip from beyond the arc.
Playing in their third game in three days, the Filipinas were actually in control after the first two quarters, but couldn’t keep it going after the break.
Anggraeni and Pierre-Louis willed Indonesia back into the game, conspiring for a 17-2 barrage for a 52-39 lead with 5:34 left in the third.
Timnas made five of their eight triples in that 28-point explosion in the said chapter and the game would never be in question since then.
Making matters worse for Gilas was that it played the rest of the fourth quarter without Afril Bernardino. She checked out with 2:36 left in the third with her jersey bloodied following a hit in the face at the 3:09-mark.
Now, they look to rebound against the Vietnamese on Saturday at 12:00 PM (Philippine time) to remain on track to retain the throne.
The Scores:
Indonesia (89) – Anggraeni 24, Pierre-Louis 20, Wongsohardjo 9, Peyton 8, Lestari 8, Retong 7, Sriartha 5, Sutjiono 5, Antonio 3, Orville 0, Dewi 0, Karen 0.
Philippines (68) – Pontejos 11, Cabinbin 10, Fajardo 8, Surada 7, Berberabe 7, Bernardino 6, Castro 6, Castillo 6, Animam 4, Clarin 3, Tongco 0, Guytingco 0.
Quarterscores: 18-24, 35-37, 63-49, 89-68.
