Gilas Pilipinas Women bagged the first win of the Philippines in the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
The Philippine national women's basketball team remains in contention for the title after beating Chinese Taipei, 92-81, on Wednesday, June 28, at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in Australia.
Vanessa De Jesus scored 25 points while Afril Bernardino finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Filipinas jumped back from back-to-back losses at the hands of Japan and Australia.
Jhasmin Joson and Bernardino made two straight baskets for the Gilas Pilipinas to take a 14-point lead, 76-62, at the start of the fourth quarter.
Two charities by I-Hsiu Cheng allowed Chinese Taipei to close the gap, 78-74, but Camille Clarin, Jack Animam, and De Jesus made back-to-back buckets for the Philippines to regain a double-digit lead, 84-74.
Chinese Taipei cut the deficit down to eight, 84-76, after Yu-Ting Lin made another set of free throws.
De Jesus managed to keep Chinese Taipei at bay by burying two-straight baskets to provide the Philippines with a 12-point cushion, 88-76, with less than a minute left in the game.
Yu-Ting registered 21 points and 10 rebounds, while both I-Hsiu and Ya En Han chipped in 15 points to pace Chinese Taipei.
Gilas Pilipinas Women now prepares to face New Zealand on Friday, June 30, for a spot in the semifinals of the tournament.
