THE Gilas Women 3x3 team put an end to Tonga’s historic run in the FIBA Asia Cup as it dealt the Polynesian archipelago a 19-10 beating and secured a berth in the knockout quarterfinals.
Two-time UAAP women’s MVP Kacey Dela Rosa stood tall for the Philippines with eight points and seven rebounds, while veteran Afril Bernardino added six and eight rebounds, and anchored the team’s telling run which allowed the Filipinas to finally pull away.
Cheska Apag finished with four points and Mikka Cacho, the only remnant from the Philippine side that reached the semifinals last year, finished with a point to round out the scoring for Gilas.
The win by the Filipinas cagebelles put them in a showdown with fellow unbeaten Australia later in the night for the no. 1 spot in Pool D.
The fifth seeded and reigning champion Aussies earlier routed Tonga, 21-3.
The Tongans, who made history by earning a berth in the main draw of the tournament for the first time ever, were led by Lesila Kefu Finau with five points and six rebounds.
Her deuce and a basket by Makeili Talia Ika gave Tonga a 6-4 lead with 6:38 left in the game.
Then Dela Rosa hit from the inside and Bernardino buried a 2, sparking a 12-1 Gilas run that put the Filipinas safely in front, 16-7, in the final 2:40 of the contest.
The scores
Philippines 19 – Dela Rosa 8, Bernardino 6, Apag 4, Cacho 1
Tonga 10 – Finau 5, Ika 3, K.L Enari 1, A.R. Enari 1
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