Taiwanese deny Gilas Girls FIBA WC seat

Gilas Pilipinas Girls’ bid for a spot in the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup ended in disappointment after an 86-55 loss to Chinese Taipei in the battle for fifth place at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup on Friday at the Karisma Arena in Malaysia.

Chen Jou-An led the Taiwanese with 12 points and six assists as Chinese Taipei secured the final World Cup berth for next year’s tournament in China.

The Philippines settled for sixth place but retained its spot in Division A.

Chinese Taipei took control with a 13-2 run late in the first quarter, sparked by Chen’s three-pointer with 3:36 remaining. The surge turned a slim 15-11 lead into a 28-13 advantage, and the Taiwanese never looked back.

They stretched their lead to 36 points, 80-44, after Huang I-Chen knocked down a triple with 5:57 left in the fourth quarter.

Chinese Taipei capitalized on the Philippines’ 21 turnovers, converting them into 30 points, while also dominating inside with 40 points in the paint.

Chang Yu-Tung added 11 points, while Lin Nian Zhen finished with 10 for the winners.

Grace Marina Curley led the Gilas Girls with 15 points and nine rebounds, falling just short of a double-double.