Gilas Pilipinas Women pulled away late to thwart Thailand, 82-70, to stay in the podium race of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games basketball competitions, Sunday at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The trio of Afril Bernardino, Chack Cabinbin, and Jack Animam joined hands for the key 10-2 run for a 78-65 lead with 2:55 left to play, and the Filipina dribblers would never let up to grab a share of the second spot with Malaysia.
Both toting identical 4-1 cards, last year’s gold and bronze medalists will face one another on Monday at 12 p,m, Manila time for the silver medal.
Indonesia has already clinched the gold following its 100-54 conquest of Cambodia Saturday, finishing the tournament via a six-game sweep.
Bernardino led Gilas with 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block but was brought out of the game at the 4:57 mark due to an apparent ankle injury, which she suffered after scoring a bucket from underneath.
Khate Castillo made 11 points on three triples, while Animam and Janine Pontejos supplied 10 in the win where all but one scored at least two.
Rattiyakorn Udomsuk, meanwhile, finished with a game-high 22 points on four triples to lead Thailand, who absorbed its fourth loss in five outings.
Thunchanok Lumdabpang had 11 points while Kanokwan Prajuapsook added 10 in the defeat that dropped the crew to second to last in the standings.
The Scores:
Philippines (82) – Bernardino 18, Castillo 11, Pontejos 11, Animam 10, Berberabe 9, Clarin 6, Surada 6, Fajardo 6, Cabinbin 2, Castro 2, Guytingco 2, Tongco 0.
Thailand (70) – Udomsuk 22, Lumdabpang 11, Prajuapsook 10, Thuamon 8, Supyen 5, Wongtapha 5, Kitraksa 3, Rungrueang 3, Maihom 3, Klunbut 0.
Quarterscores: 19-13, 46-38, 64-53, 82-70.
