Gilas Women spank HK, stay undefeated

Gilas Pilipinas bucked a slow start and found its rhythm just in time to blow out Hong Kong, 90-73, and secure a quarterfinal spot in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women’s 5-on-5 basketball Sunday at the Aichi International Arena.

Stef Berberabe top-scored for Gilas with 21 points on a 7-of-11 field goal clip, including lacing in 3-of-4 three-pointers. She also had five rebounds, two assists and a steal as the Philippines remained unscathed in Pool B after two outings.

Gilas, which also reached the quarterfinal before bowing to South Korea in the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou edition three years ago, joined host Japan to the next round with identical 2-0 win-loss records.

Unlike in their opening-day crushing of Kazakhstan where they controlled the game right from the start, the Filipinas found Hong Kong a tough customer and had to weather Tszkwan Li’s 30-point explosion.

Gilas got it together in the second quarter and entered the half time break with a six-point lead.

The BT Toews-mentored Gilas maintained its distance in the second half, taking a nine-point cushion entering the payoff period before outscoring Hong Kong, 21-13, in the final canto for the convincing victory.    

“We had a slow start and I think there’s no excuse for that. We had heavy legs. We’re in the tournament so we should do anything just to recover every time we enter the court,” said Afril Bernardino, who had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Bernardino only missed two of her eight field goal attempts and filled the stats box with four assists, two steals and two blocks.

“And, I think for me, just every time I step on the court, I try to enjoy (the game). When I see my teammates entering the playing court, it’s not a game anymore. For me, it’s like a fight, a time to show pride for our country,” Bernardino said.

Jhaz Joson added 15 points, Camille Malagar had 14 while naturalized player Beth Means finished with eight points for Gilas.

Joson gave Gilas its biggest lead, 88-68, with a minute left in the game after connecting a three-pointer.

The Pinay cagers, who were in fifth place in the previous edition, wrap up the pool stage against Japan on Tuesday at 12 p.m.

Li went 9-of-18 from the field, Tan Fung Ma scored 17 and Hiu Lui Tong had 15 points in Hong Kong’s second loss in as many outings.