BOCAUE — LONG bombs from the Netherlands buried the Philippine women’s team in its debut in the 2018 Fiba 3x3 World Cup, falling to an 11-21 defeat on Friday at Philippine Arena.
The fourth-seeded Dutch drained eight two-pointers to punch holes in the Filipinas' defense, with Karin Kuijt accounting for four of those rainbow shots to wound up with nine points.
Jacobine Klerx added seven points, including the game-clinching lay-up, while Loyce Bettonvil got four as the Dutch seized the early leadership in Pool D.
Janine Pontejos carried the Philippines with six points built on two two-pointers, as Afril Bernardino got four of her points off drives in what PH coach Patrick Aquino described as a 'jittery' performance.
“Maybe first-time jitters for everybody,” said coach Patrick Aquino. “Having a tournament like this, sometimes you get jittery, sometimes di nila ngagagawa yung mga kailangan nilang gawin.”
The Filipinas committed seven fouls in the game and Aquino is hopeful that this first defeat can help straighten up his ladies’ act for the game against Germany at 6:40 p.m.
“Experience-wise, we lack that poise. When the opponent’s shots were going in, sometimes, you lose focus. You lose momentum and everything. So I hope we change those things and get back in the next game,” he said.
The scores:
NETHERLANDS 21 — Kuijt 9, Klerx 7, Bettonvil 4, Beld 1.
PHILIPPINES 11 — Pontejos 6, Bernardino 4, Animam 1, Miranda 0.
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