Gilas belles’ run ends vs Ferns

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 women stood its ground but still stumbled late in a 17-10 defeat to New Zealand in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup yesterday at the Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Square.

Inspired by a huge win over No. 7 Iran in pool phase play, the Filipina ballers clicked from all cylinders and seized an early 7-5 over the taller Kiwis only to cool down and stare at a sudden 7-11 deficit

Janine Pontejos would steer Gilas back into the game, 10-11, but the taller Ferns had one last ace up their sleeves, answering with a searing 6-0 closeout for the win.

Pontejos, the seasoned sniper even for Gilas 5-on-5 squad, finished with six points while Afril Bernardino had three points and six rebounds for the wards of national women’s program director and head coach Pat Aquino.

Sharne Pupuke-Robati had a monstrous 7-point, 13-rebound outing for New Zealand, which will face Thailand in the semifinals after the latter’s thrilling 17-16 win over Japan. The other semis pairing features reigning champion China and Australia in a rematch of last edition’s finalists.

Gilas women’s quarterfinal finish this time around atoned for its early exit last year in the qualifiers.

The feat also carried the country’s fight following the elimination of Gilas men in Pool D with a 0-2 slate, a farcry from its semifinal finish last edition highlighted by a stunning upset against No. 1 Mongolia in the quarterfinals.

Led by PBA 3x3 scoring champion Almond Vosotros, the fourth-ranked Gilas suffered close losses to wildcard Iran, 11-14 and No. 5 Qatar, 18-21.