Pinays shock defending champs

JAKARTA – The Philippine cagebelles, playing minus dengue-stricken ace center Cassy Tioseco made a rousing debut in the 26th SEA Games women’s basketball event by routing Malaysia yesterday.

Forward Merenciana Arayi came through with a huge double-double game with 16 points and 13 rebounds, serving as the Phl ladies’ steady anchor in a 64-56 win over titleholder Malaysia.

“Though without an international exposure, we prepared hard for a year and we’re able to execute our game plan against Malaysia,” said coach Haydee Ong.

Ong and her chargers stayed awhile in the venue after the game to scout the Myanmar team which they play next at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

“We’re not familiar with Myanmar. We’ll scout them then prepare for our game,” said Ong, ruing they have further become the most under-sized team in the tourney on the loss of Tioseco.

The 6-foot-1 center was afflicted by dengue two days before their departure for Indonesia. She’s confined at Makati Med at the moment.

Minus Tioseco, Joan Grajales, Jovi Borja, Melissa Jacob and Analyn Almajan were others who stepped up to help the Filipinas past the Malaysians.

The Filipinas got to a jackrabbit start, led by as many as 19 in the second quarter and hung tough in the face of the Malaysian’s repeated rallies.

Grajales and Jacob, holdovers of the Phl team that won the bronze medal in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2007, banged in crucial baskets before being given a rest due to cramps in the intense, pressing game.  

Grajales wound up with 11 points, two rebounds and one assist while the Fil-Am Jacob added seven points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.