Gilas Pilipinas Women fall short in comeback vs. New Zealand to finish 6th in FIBA Asia Cup
The Filipinas turned it up in the second half by waxing hot from downtown before losing steam in the final minutes, no thanks to a pivotal 17-5 closing rampage from New Zealand.
Gilas Women will finish sixth in the eight-team field to match their output from the previous edition.
The loss also denied the Philippines its best finish since getting a Division A promotion in 2015. In three editions from 2017 to 2021, the Philippines wound up seventh in the Asia Cup before clinching a sixth-place finish in the 2023 edition held in Australia.
Vanessa de Jesus was among the bright spots for Gilas after finishing with a team-high 16 points laced with four rebounds and four assists while Khate Castillo posted 14 markers on 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Youngsters Naomi Panganiban and Sumayah Sugapong both chipped in 11 points while Jack Animam poured nine markers, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and four blocks.
Despite the loss, it was still an impressive showing for the Filipinas against a higher-ranked New Zealand.
After finding themselves once down by 16 at one point in the second quarter, 15-31, the gritty Filipinas turned to De Jesus, Castillo and Sugapong, all of whom connived to help Gilas cut the deficit to just four at halftime, 38-42.
Kent Pastrana and Sugapong buried back-to-back triples as they forced a 53-all deadlock in the third before Animam and Castillo combined for three free throws to close out the frame ahead by three.
Castillo continued to knock down three-pointers, nailing a pair from downtown to give the Philippines a 66-61 cushion.
But Gilas just ran out of gas in the endgame with Emilia Shearer and Esra McGoldrick conspiring to power New Zealand's 17-5 closing rampage en route to the six-point victory.
McGoldrick tallied 17 points together with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal while Shearer grabbed 16 markers, six boards, four dimes, and one block.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
Fajardo, Perez, Oftana gear up for Gilas Pilipinas as FIBA Asia Cup nears
There is no time off for June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana as the veterans join Gilas Pilipinas shortly after a grueling PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals series between San Miguel and TNT. Fajardo and Perez of the Beermen and Tropang 5G sniper Oftana are shifting their full attention to national team duties with Gilas Pilipinas' 2025 FIBA Asia Cup preparations already underway. The trio is coming off an exhausting All-Filipino finals duel. Fajardo and Perez both played crucial roles in the Beermen's title run, which allowed the franchise to capture its 30th overall title and 11th in the All-Filipino edition. The Beermen also completed their redemption arc following a rare playoff absence in the Commissioner's Cup. Oftana was also huge for an injury-hit TNT, which missed key players Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, Poy Erram, and Simon Enciso due to different injuries. Still, Perez and Oftana are not thinking about the fatigue as they look to bolster Gilas Pilipinas in the continental tournament. "'Di mo maiisip 'yung pagod pag nanalo ka eh. Pag nanalo ka talagang kahit na may susunod na game, excited ka. Excited ka kasi para bayan, syempre matagal-tagal na rin tayong naglalaro para sa Gilas so I'm always excited para sa bayan," Perez, who posted 24 points, six assists, and three rebounds in the title-clinching Game 6, said. "Minsan-minsan lang ito mangyari sa buhay kaya sinusulit ko na talaga hangga't tinatawag pa talaga ako. I'm grateful and honored na i-represeng 'yung country." Sharing the same sentiment, Oftana said he's embracing the once-in-a-lifetime chance to wear the flag on such a grand stage "Mga gano'ng opportunity kasi once in a lifetime lang 'yun e. It's from the bosses and coach Tim din, and we need to serve our country din. Para sa bayan," the sharp shooter said. "I have to rest din kasi sabi nga nila, katawan namin 'yung puhunan namin." Fajardo, Oftana, and Perez will rejoin a Gilas crew that already started its training led by head coach Tim Cone alongside other staple players like Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, Japeth Aguilar, and Kevin Quiambao. Gilas will take on Chinese Taipei on August 6 before slugging it out against New Zealand and Iraq on August 7 and 9, respectively. Before the Asia Cup showcase, Gilas will get a taste of high-level competition as it takes on the Macau Black Bears in a friendly game on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
'Unexpected' Finals MVP award just a bonus for Jericho Cruz
PBA Philippine Cup. July 25, 2025. Jericho Cruz (39) of the San Miguel Beermen against Calvin Oftana of the TNT Tropang 5G. (Photo: PBA Media) San Miguel's Jericho Cruz has been one of the names usually heard over the course of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series. His name has been involved in a post-game fuss back in Game 3 of the finals where he was allegedly 'showboating' in which he denied. But more than that, Cruz has been one of the consistent players for the Beermen for the finals series as he finished with 13.83 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.33 assists per game to help San Miguel win the All-Filipino crown. With his strong showing in the series, Cruz was named as the Most Valuable Player of the finals which is the first in his career. For him, it was an unexpected one and was just cherry on top of the championship. "Yung championship na 'to, sobrang sarap kasi kakabalik lang ni Coach Leo [Austria]. Nanalo rin ako ng award which is bonus lang naman. 'Di ko maisip, 'di ko maipinta ang words na dapat sabihin ko ngayon," Cruz said in the post-game conference. "'Di ko in-expect pero binigay sa akin kaya maraming salamat," he said in a separate interview. He also clarified that there is no bad blood with him and TNT officials such as manager Jojo Lastimosa. "Shoutout pa rin sa Talk 'N Text kasi hard fought series. Shout out din kay Coach Jolas, alam niya naman na mahal ko 'yan, and Coach Chot [Reyes]... At the end of the day, it's just basketball. Tapos na 'yun, move on na and prepare for the next conference," he said. After a grueling series, Cruz is also expected to join Guam in the FIBA Asia Cup. However, he revealed having some knee issues and will still determine if he will join the tournament. "Pag-isipan ko in the next two days if papahinga ako or tutuloy ako," he said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-07-2025
- GMA Network
Gilas Pilipinas Women fall short in comeback vs. New Zealand to finish 6th in FIBA Asia Cup
Gilas Pilipinas Women crawled back from 16 points down, but collapsed late to absorb a 71-78 loss to world no. 26 New Zealand and close out their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign on Saturday in Shenzhen Sports Centre, China. The Filipinas turned it up in the second half by waxing hot from downtown before losing steam in the final minutes, no thanks to a pivotal 17-5 closing rampage from New Zealand. Gilas Women will finish sixth in the eight-team field to match their output from the previous edition. The loss also denied the Philippines its best finish since getting a Division A promotion in 2015. In three editions from 2017 to 2021, the Philippines wound up seventh in the Asia Cup before clinching a sixth-place finish in the 2023 edition held in Australia. Vanessa de Jesus was among the bright spots for Gilas after finishing with a team-high 16 points laced with four rebounds and four assists while Khate Castillo posted 14 markers on 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Youngsters Naomi Panganiban and Sumayah Sugapong both chipped in 11 points while Jack Animam poured nine markers, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and four blocks. Despite the loss, it was still an impressive showing for the Filipinas against a higher-ranked New Zealand. After finding themselves once down by 16 at one point in the second quarter, 15-31, the gritty Filipinas turned to De Jesus, Castillo and Sugapong, all of whom connived to help Gilas cut the deficit to just four at halftime, 38-42. Kent Pastrana and Sugapong buried back-to-back triples as they forced a 53-all deadlock in the third before Animam and Castillo combined for three free throws to close out the frame ahead by three. Castillo continued to knock down three-pointers, nailing a pair from downtown to give the Philippines a 66-61 cushion. But Gilas just ran out of gas in the endgame with Emilia Shearer and Esra McGoldrick conspiring to power New Zealand's 17-5 closing rampage en route to the six-point victory. McGoldrick tallied 17 points together with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal while Shearer grabbed 16 markers, six boards, four dimes, and one block. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
