Gilas Pilipinas Women started out their campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games with a bang. They dominated the home team Cambodia, 114-54, in their first game of the Women’s 5×5 Basketball Tournament, Wednesday in Phnom Penh.
All 12 players fielded by Coach Pat Aquino contributed to the blowout win. They were led by Ella Fajardo who scored 17 points on 50 percent shooting. Jack Animan wasn’t far with 16 points and nine rebounds. Chack Cabinbin, Afril Bernardino, and Camille Clarin all scored in double figures, combining for 34 points.
The Philippines pulled away in the second quarter, scoring 15 unanswered points to take a 17-point lead. They continued to control the game before halftime, limiting Cambodia to just 11 points, while scoring 36 points in the period.
Gilas opened the second half strong with Bernardino scoring six points in a 9-0 run to give the team a 35-point lead. The team didn’t let up as the bench mob took over from the starters to extend the lead further, all the way up to 60 points to end the game.
Gilas faces Singapore on Thursday, 4:00 PM Philippine time. The top team at the end of the single round robin tournament featuring seven of the eight competing countries will take home the gold medal.