Gilas fights for dear life

Gilas Pilipinas Women are in a must-win situation as the go up against Lebanon in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.

Tip-off is set at 1:30 p.m. with the Filipinas aiming to securing a crucial win that will send them to the playoff round.

The Philippines is coming off back-to-back losses in the Asia Cup, suffering a 39-115 setback to Australia last Sunday before falling short against Japan, 82-85, last Monday.

Against the Japanese. Gilas waged a sizzling 18-0 run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to four points, 79-83, with 15 seconds left.

Unfortunately for the Filipinas, Monica Okoye knocked down a pair of free throws down the stretch to help Japan secure the victory.

Still, Gilas veteran Jack Animam remains defiant, saying that the loss only inspired them to push harder to get their first win in this prestigious continental event.

“I’m just so proud of them because we rose up to the challenge and even if we lost, it still feels like a win for us because of how we played together and how we bounced back from yesterday’s loss,” said Animam, who had a double-double game of 24 points and 14 rebounds.

“I’m glad that now they experience this level of competition, especially the physicality, because this is a young team. Most of them are used to playing with their age group, but now they’re going to play with grown women, professional women, veterans with their respected national teams.”

Naomi Panganiban and Vanessa de Jesus backed Animam with 13 points apiece.