Gilas Women fall to brink of Division B relegation after Taipei drubbing

The Gilas Pilipinas Women continued their woeful run in the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup after Chinese Taipei coasted to a 41-point rout, 93-52, at Amman, Jordan on Wednesday, September 29 (Thursday, September 30, Manila time).

With its third loss in a row at the biennial meet, the Gilas Women program is now on the brink of relegation to Division B if they lose to India on Friday midnight, October 1, Manila time.

Wen-Yu Lin led the easy win with 19 points in as many minutes on the floor built off a 5-of-8 clip from three. I-Hsiu Cheng added 14 markers for a Chinese Taipei side that buried Gilas Women with 15-of-41 shooting from deep.

Just as it seemed there was a sliver of hope for a Gilas comeback at the start of the third quarter, Chinese Taipei erased all doubt with a 31-8 blitz that turned a 45-33 lead to an insurmountable 76-41 gap entering the fourth.

Once again, things only got worse late for the Pinay ballers as Chinese Taipei peaked with a 43-point lead, 92-49, off two late free throws.

Afril Bernardino faced the inevitable loss headstrong with a monster 24-point, 14-rebound double-double, but got little help aside from Clare Castro’s 14 markers and 6 boards.

“I think we gave them a good fight but maybe we made a lot of mistakes inside the court, and I know we could have given more in that game. Maybe it was a lack of time. We did our best to fight,” Bernardino said.

“They played well, but then again, we still lost the game. We have to improve on so many things,” added head coach Pat Aquino. “That’s what we have to do. Play very hard, and come back stronger next time.”

With a win against India, Gilas Women will finish in seventh place, and keep their status as a Division A squad.

The Scores

Chinese Taipei 93 – Lin WY 19, Cheng 14, Liu 13, Lin YT 8, Tai 8, Chu 7, Chen 7, Lin T 6, Peng 5, Han 4, Wang 2, Lin HF 0.

Gilas Pilipinas Women 52 – Bernardino 24, Castro 14, Fajardo 5, Pontejos 4, Nabalan 3, Tongco 2, Cabinbin 0, Castillo 0, Clarin 0, Prado 0, Cayabyab 0.

Quarters: 26-15, 45-30, 76-41, 93-52.

– Rappler.com