Gilas Women give world no. 9 Japan a scare, but drop second loss in a row
The Filipinas erased what was at one point a 22-point deficit, thanks to a scorching 21-2 run in the final frame behind Jack Animam, Naomi Panganiban, and Vanessa De Jesus.
But it was not enough to break into the win column as Gilas fell to a 0-2 win-loss card in the continental tournament while the Japanese squad improved to 2-0 in Group B.
Animam atoned for her two-point outing in their previous loss to Australia by posting a huge double-double of 24 points, including her 10 in the fourth period, and 14 rebounds, along with three assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Young guns Panganiban and De Jesus chipped in 13 markers apiece with the latter also dishing out six dimes in the gallant fight.
Gilas Women kept it close in the first period after reaching an 18-all deadlock, but Japan turned it up from downtown with four triples in the second period that allowed the world no. 9 Japanese to take a 57-41 halftime lead.
Gilas slowly trimmed the gap, but Japan had an answer to every Philippine run as Minami Yabu fired back-to-back triples to end the third period with Japan enjoying a 77-57 cushion.
In the fourth period, it was all Philippines.
Staring at an 83-61 hole, the wards of head coach Patrick Aquino staged a huge fightback started by De Jesus, whose two consecutive assists led to a pair of baskets for Animam and Panganiban as they sliced the gap to eight, 75-83.
Animam then completed a three-point play to further cut the deficit to four, 79-83, in the final 15 seconds. But the Philippines' comeback attempt fell short even after a clutch corner three-pointer from De Jesus.
Maki Takada paced Japan with 20 points while Yabu chipped in 15 markers.
Gilas will look to punch its breakthrough win on Wednesday, when it squares off with Lebanon at 1:30 pm.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
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