Gilas Pilipinas Women used a third-quarter blitz to dismantle Singapore, 94-63, for back-to-back wins in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games cage competitions, Thursday at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The three-peat seekers came out of the break with their guns ablaze, scoring 15 unanswered points en route to a commanding 60-38 lead to put their opponents away for good after facing a serious threat in the previous period.
Following the rout, the Philippines have climbed to no. 2 in the standings behind the 3-0 Indonesia, who beat Malaysia earlier, 85-57 to improve to 3-0. Timnas will be its next opponent on Friday at 12 noon Manila time.
Similar to their opening day conquest of Cambodia, all 12 players scored at least three in the win, with Khate Castillo leading the way with 14 points.
Afril Bernardino fell a rebound short of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, Ella Fajardo had 11 as well, while Clare Castro added 10.
Bernardino and Castro helped out Chack Cabinbin in seizing control of the match in the first quarter, altogether sparking a 20-6 assault to end the period with the Filipina dribblers ahead by 11 points, 25-14.
Bernardino would also be instrumental in their hot third-quarter start as she kick-started the aforementioned rally that overwhelmed their foes.
Gilas shot 12 treys and made 43-percent from the field, and dominated the boards 60-33. They also racked up 12 steals, the second time in a row that they had double-digit steals after collecting 25 against the host nation.
Amanda Lim Zhi Yan led Singapore with 18 points, while Chu Yin Chan was her lone support in the loss — their third in as many games.
The Scores:
Philippines (94) – Castillo 14, Bernardino 11, Fajardo 11, Castro 10, Surada 9, Pontejos 9, Clarin 8, Guytingco 7, Tongco 5, Cabinbin 5, Animam 3, Berberabe 2.
Singapore (63) – Lim ZY 18, Chan 13, Lim YJ 8, Choo 6, Lim RJ 6, See 3, Lim 3, Yeow 3, Ong 3, Wong 0, Lim LK 0, Qing 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 45-38, 67-43, 94-63.
