ALMOST. Gilas Pilipinas drops a close game against the taller New Zealand, 78-83, in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup at the State Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia on Friday (June 30, 2023). New Zealand advanced to the semifinals against Japan while the Philippines will face South Korea in a battle for fifth place on Saturday. (Photo from FIBA Women’s Asia Cup website)
MANILA – New Zealand turned back Gilas Pilipinas 83-78, in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup on Friday at the State Sports Centre in Sydney.
The result, however, was way closer than expected as Gilas put up a fight and even drew close to an upset.
Gilas kept the game close for almost the entire game and even took a 50-45 lead early in the third.
With the "Tall Ferns" down, 68-69, entering the fourth, they turned to their defense and some breaks did not favor Gilas as the Filipinas were held to just nine points in the final frame.
Charlisse Leger-Walker fired 34 points with three rebounds, six assists and three steals for New Zealand, which set a semifinal date with powerhouse Japan on Saturday as well as securing a place in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Akiene Reed added 23 points, seven rebounds, and one assist, while Penina Davidson put up 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.
Afril Bernardino and Jhazmin Joson each scored 15 points, while Jack Animam added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Gilas in a game where Vanessa De Jesus was checked and only tallied four points.
Gilas will finish its campaign on Saturday with a game against South Korea for fifth place.
South Korea also bowed out of the tournament after dropping a 64-91 decision to host Australia in the other quarterfinal game.
Australia will face China in the other semifinal also on Saturday. (PNA)
