RAYONG, Thailand – Gilas Pilipinas Women clinched a berth in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medal match with a 66-55 win over archrival Indonesia on Thursday at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Kacey Dela Rosa and Afril Bernardino were among the heroes of the contest, as the Philippines will face the winner of the Thailand-Malaysia contest being played as of posting time.
The championship is set on Friday, 4:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. Manila time). The Filipinos will face host Thailand for the gold after it defeated Malaysia, 59-51.
Angel Surada and Karl Ann Pingol also played in the contest after their campaign with National U in the recently-concluded UAAP Season 88 finals.
Dela Rosa had 21 points and 11 rebounds to dominate the paint for Gilas Women, while Afril Bernardino was also steady with 14 points and five rebounds.
Gilas Women go full throttle from tip-off
Philippine coach Pat Aquino said they knew that the semifinal game would be like a championship, with Indonesia being the champion from the last edition
“Just so proud of the girls. They never gave up. It’s just trying to do their best all the time and believing that they can do it. I know this was a tough game. We prepared so much for this. They are the defending champion and we are just so happy that we won this game,” he said.
Gilas Women never conceded the lead and had a 30-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“That was big because every time, we started slowly. We told them that we have to start (strong) and go all the way,” Aquino said.
The Scores:
Philippines 66 – Dela Rosa 21, Bernardino 14, Pontejos 10, Castillo 9, Dignadice 6, Ozar 4, Heyn 2, Cabinbin 0, Surada 0, Guytingco 0, Pingol 0.
Indonesia 55 – Wongsohardjo 18, Shoimah 13, Dewi 8, Kahol 4, Orville 4, Retong 3, Antonio 3, Anggraeni 2, Madafa 0, Aritonang 0, Candra 0.
Quarters: 30-18, 43-35, 55-44, 66-55.
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