GILAS Pilipinas Women’s loss to Japan felt like a victory for the team after managing to close the gap on the continent’s powerhouse in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
The Philippines lost to the Akatsuki Five but only by three points, 85-82, in Shenzhen, China following a closing 18-0 blast.
READ Gilas Women's late rally falls short against world no.9 Japan
“It’s again a tough loss but a good bounce back from (Sunday),” said Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino, referring to their 76-point blowout defeat to Australia in their Asia Cup debut. “I think the girls showed more grit. They have the grit now. They are playing together.”
The result is a good sign for Gilas Women’s chances of staying in Division A of the tournament that incidentally will be hosted by the Philippines in the next edition in 2027.
Jack Animam led the way for the Philippines in the game against Japan after contributing 24 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks. She got a lot of help, too.
Among them were Naomi Panganiban and Vanessa De Jesus, who chipped in 13 points each with De Jesus also dishing six assists. Sumayah Sugapong added 12 points as well for the Philippines.
“Japan is Japan,” said Animam. “And us coming in as an underdog and all of my teammates, I think we’re the youngest team here. And before the game, I just told them that the game is going to be hard but no matter what, we have to fight and take pride in what we do and I’m just so proud of them.”
“We rise up to the challenge and even if we lost, it still feels like a win for us because of how we played together and how we bounced back from (Australia’s) loss.”
Already out of the running from a semifinal berth, Gilas Women wraps up the group stage against Lebanon on Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. where the winner will take third place in Group A. By clinching third place, Gilas will be assured of staying in Division A.
The loser will play against the last placer of Group B, with the winner keeping its spot in Division A and the loser relegated to Division B.
Aquino hopes that the performance against Japan would translate into a victory against Lebanon.
“Hopefully, we get one more game as good as this. We will be okay,” said Aquino.
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