GILAS Pilipinas Women found host France to tough to handle, 115-66, in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne on Wednesday night (early Thursday morning, Manila time).
The Philippines trailed the Paris Olympic silver medalist by as many as 51 points after being down, 24-9, at the end of the first quarter.
Malonga shows way
Dominique Malonga, who plays for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA, even threw down a dunk against the Philippines on her way to finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, and two steals for France, which seeks a return to the Women’s Basketball World Cup after placing seventh in the 2022 edition.
Sumayah Sugapong and Afril Bernardino carried the fight for Gilas Women with 13 and 12 points, respectively, with Bernardino grabbing a team-high six rebounds.
Up next for the Philippines is Germany, which routed Korea, 76-49, in the opener. Germany has already qualified as host but still opted to join.
Gilas Pilipinas Women are gunning for one of the two available spots in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany. It is grouped with France, Germany, Nigeria, South Korea, and Colombia.
Like Germany, Nigeria has also qualified in the World Cup by being the Afrobasket champions.
The Philippines made it to the Women’s World Cup qualifiers for the first time after placing sixth in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
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