GILAS Pilipinas Women survived a Lebanon comeback, 73-70, on Wednesday to finish third place in Group B of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, China.
The Philippines led by as many as 17 points but had to hold on against a charging Lebanese side to end its Group B campaign with a 1-2 win-loss record.
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By finishing third in the group, Gilas Women also booked a place in the qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Basketball Women's World Cup - a first for the team.
The Philippines also kept its place in Division A ahead of the country's hosting of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in 2027.
Naomi Panganiban had 15 points including two free throws to settle the final score for the Philippines, which will play Group A second-placer Korea for a place in the semifinals.
Jack Animam also had a monster game for Gilas Women as she produced 14 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and three steals on the way to being named Player of the Match.
Gilas Women had a fiery start as it built a 29-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Lebanon slowly trimmed the gap, even tasting a 62-61 lead midway through the fourth.
Animam responded with back-to-back baskets followed by a reverse lay-up by Kaicey Dela Rosa for a 67-62 lead - enough to cushion a late Lebanon push.
Celebration erupted among the Gilas players following a landmark win that also brought them to the World Cup pre-qualifying tournament set to take place in March.
Sumayah Sugapong had 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points.
Kent Pastrana also gave a good account of herself as she finished with seven points in 14 minutes in the University of Santo Tomas standout's Gilas tournament debut.
The scores:
Philippines 73 – Panganiban 15, Animam 14, Sugapong 14, De Jesus 13, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.
Lebanon 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.
Quarters: 29-12; 41-37; 55-57; 73-70.
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