Chinese Taipei spoils Bernardino’s monster game for Gilas women

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Even a monster game from star Afril Bernardino couldn’t help the Gilas Pilipinas women come out of their 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup woes.

After being bludgeoned by powerhouse teams China and Australia, the Gilas women still could not find a way to turn things around as they fall to Chinese Taipei, 93-52, in their third game of the tournament.

Bernardino shot the lights out from the field and played her best game of the tournament after chipping in 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Philippines.

Despite her impressive stats, head coach Patrick Aquino and the rest of the girls could only watch the Chinese Taipei team outrebound them and outwork them in the post.

“I think we gave them a good fight but maybe we made a lot of mistakes inside the court, and I know we could have given more in that game. Maybe it was a lack of time. We did our best to fight,” Bernardino said.

This has been Gilas’ major concern since heading into the FIBA Asia Cup as their lack of centers and height were evident in their games.

“They played well, but then again, we still lost the game. We have to improve on so many things. That’s what we have to do. Play very hard, and come back stronger next time,” said Aquino.

The Gilas Women will still have a chance to clinch a single win in the prestigious tournament when they battle against India on October 1.