‘Filipinas can play’: Gilas Women pull off historic win vs Colombia

MANILA, Philippines – It may have been just a single win for Gilas Women but a historic one nonetheless. 

The Philippines pulled off an inspired 74-59 upset of world No. 19 Colombia to wrap up its bid in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, on Tuesday, March 18. 

It marked the first time Gilas Women beat a non-Asian opponent, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. 

“Looking at the matchups, the height gaps, and everything that happened, obviously, we are physically outmatched by everyone,” said Philippines head coach Patrick Aquino. “[B]ut the girls proved that Filipinas can play basketball. Definitely, we’re up to this world-class level.” 

Kacey dela Rosa turned in a performance to remember by churning out 25 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 blocks as Gilas Women ended the tournament on a high note following blowout losses to world No. 3 France, No. 8 Nigeria, No. 12 Germany, and No. 15 South Korea.

The Philippines lost its first four games by an average of 32.5 points, starting its campaign with a 115-66 beating from France followed by a 113-80 rout at the hands of Germany, a 101-84 defeat versus Nigeria, and a 105-74 romp from Korea.

A fifth straight loss seemed imminent as Colombia led by as many as 10 points, 36-26, and entered the break ahead at 40-33 before the Filipinas flipped the script in the third quarter behind team captain Afril Bernardino. 

Bernardino scored all of her 8 points, including a pair of three-pointers, in a pivotal 18-4 run that gave Gilas Women a 51-44 lead and put the team in the front seat for good.

Sumayah Sugapong also shone in the monumental victory as she backstopped Dela Rosa in scoring with 21 points to go with 3 assists and 2 steals.

“I think we did a lot for our country. I think we represented well and I think we’re going to be able to go home on a good note,” said Sugapong. 

For Aquino, beating a top-20 team in the world is a step in the right direction for the Gilas Women program that has made huge strides in recent years, with the team ruling three of the last four Southeast Asian Games and remaining in the Division A of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. 

“[I]t’s a journey that we’ll cherish forever. Winning the first game outside Asia, against a top-caliber team, it means a lot back home,” said Aquino. “It’s also probably the next step for us to build more girls for the program so that we can enjoy and stay in this level.”

Along with World Cup host Germany and AfroBasket champion Nigeria, France and Korea qualified for the global showdown. – Rappler.com