THE Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3x3 team duplicated what its men’s counterpart did the previous day in the 20th Asian Games.
The Filipina cagebelles upset powerhouse Mongolia, 17-12, to kick off their medal bid on a high note early Tuesday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Arena in Nagoya, Japan.
Kacey Dela Rosa imposed her might inside and led the Philippine side with 10 points and three rebounds as Gilas made it two in a row against the country considered as a major force in 3x3 basketball.
READ Gilas Women lose to Japan in battle for Asiad group top seed
On Monday, the men’s team also got off to a flying start by beating Mongolia, 19-12.
The Filipinas trailed, 10-11, with 3:12 remaining before Dela Rosa scored six of Gilas' seven points to nail the win.
Dela Rosa and Co. later breezed past Macau, 21-4, in their second game in Pool C.
Maria Pasilang led Gilas with eight points, Kennan Ka with seven, while Amyah Espanol grabbed eight rebounds for the team's second straight win.
Gilas came out of the gates like a house on fire, burying Macau behind an avalanche of baskets to take a 15-1 lead at the 4:54 mark on a 2 by Ka.
The Philippines then finished off Macau on a drive by Pasilang at the 2:57 mark to clinch the win.
Gilas Women, coached by Anton Altamirano, and Malaysia currently share the top spot in Pool C with similar 2-0 records heading to their showdown on Wednesday.
The Malaysians earlier whipped Macao China, 14-3, and defeated Mongolia, 17-11.
A win by the Philippines will send it outright to the quarterfinals.
The scores:
First Game
Philippines (17) - Dela Rosa 10, Ka 3, Espanol 2, Pasilang 2.
Mongolia (12) - Batjargal 11, Chimedtseren 1, Enkhbayar 0, Altanzul 0.
Second Game
Philippines (21) - Pasilang 8, Ka 7, Dela Rosa 4, Espanol 2
Macau China (4) - Tai 3, Lin 1, Chang 0, Chen 0.
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