THE Philippines absorbed a 56-60 loss to Malaysia on Wednesday, a day after a milestone victory over Thailand in the Fiba-Asia Women’s Championship Level II tournament in Bangkok.
Perlas Pilipinas was limited to only five points in the third period and saw its 31-30 halftime lead turn into a 36-47 deficit entering the final canto.
The Philippines and Malaysia are now tied for the lead in Level II with a 3-1 win-loss slate. The top two teams in Level II will vie for a promotion as they face the bottom two squads in Level I.
Discovery Perlas Pilipinas is now in a must-win situation against Indonesia on Thursday to clinch a berth in the playoffs.
Indonesia and Thailand, in a tie for third place with a 2-1 win-loss slate, face each other on Thursday night.
The women’s team was coming off a rousing 65-59 win over Southeast Asian Games champion and host Thailand last Monday to fortify their chance of a promotion to Level I.
But the Pinay cagers surprisingly fell short against Malaysia, which got 17 points and five triples from Beng Fong Goh and 14 from Shin Min Yong.
Melissa Jacob led Perlas Pilipinas with 17 points, while Analyn Almazan chipped in 16 markers.
The scores:
Malaysia (60) – Goh 17, Yong 14, Pang 8, Lee 6, Ting 6, Hee 6, Ang 3, Kew 0, Saw 0.
Philippines (56) – Jacob 17, Almazan 16, Grajales 9, Borja 7, Arayi 3, Tioseco 2, Mercado 2, Bernardo 0, Resultay 0, Tiu 0.
Quarterscores: 11-17; 30-31; 47-36; 60-56.
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