Gilas Women drop Jones Cup opener to Chinese Taipei-B

GILAS Pilipinas Women succumbed to Chinese Taipei-B, 73-60, on Saturday in their first game of the 2024 William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City. The Nationals conceded 13 threes against Republic of China-B, and failed to counter by hitting just three from rainbow country to start the competition on a rough note. There was a silver lining, however, with Naomi Panganiban (163-PG-2006), fresh from her stint in the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B, leading Gilas Women in scoring with 16 points, and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Afril Bernardino (165-G-1991) had 14 points, while Jack-Danielle Animam (192-C/F-1998) had 10 points and 11 rebounds, but sorely missed was Janine Pontejos, who struggled with 2-of-12 from threes to finish with six points. Khate Castillo (162-SG-1996) was the only other player from the Gilas Women side who hit a three, and finished with five points. The Philippines resumes its campaign on Sunday when it faces Southeast Asian neighbor Malaysia at 3 p.m. in the round-robin tournament. Yujie Chen (178-F-2000) had 13 points and was one of four players who made two threes in the game for Chinese Taipei-B.
Courtesy of: spin.ph