GILAS Pilipinas Women lost the battle for the gold medal against defending champion Australia in lopsided fashion, 18-9, in the finals of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup on Sunday night at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
The giant-killing Filipinas couldn’t muster the same surprise they pulled off against Japan in the semifinals, falling behind early against the taller and experienced Aussies, 0-6, and falling into a hole from where they never got out of.
READ Gilas Women shock Japan, reach first-ever FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup final
Nonetheless, the silver-medal finish goes down as the best showing ever by a Philippine women’s side in the history of the annual 3x3 tournament.
Gilas started out flat that it didn't score until the 6:38 mark on a basket underneath by Kacey Dela Rosa. But by that time, Australia already had the momentum going for the team.
Amy Atwell, who saved the season for the team in its tense 21-20 win over China in the semis, had eight points and eight rebounds as Australia won the championship for the fourth straight time and sixth overall.
Afril Bernardino helped Gilas Women put up a semblance of fight when she scored four straight points to make it a 7-12 contest.
But the Aussies responded with six straight points including back-to-back deuces by Atwell to stretch the lead back to 18-7.
Bernardino, returning for Gilas 3x3 this year, finished with four points, Dela Rosa added three, and Apag two for Gilas, which already surpassed the best finish of the team that reached the semifinal of last year’s Asia Cup edition.
Meanwhile, China drubbed Japan, 20-15, in the battle for third place.
The scores
Australia (18) – Atwell 8, Wallace 5, Clarke 3, McSpadden 2.
Philippines (9) – Bernardino 4, Dela Rosa 3, Apag 2, Cacho 0.
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