Gilas Women outmaneuver Kazakhstan in Asian Games opener

The Gilas Pilipinas women’s national basketball team kicked off its 20th Asian Games campaign on a high note after crushing Kazakhstan, 86-58, at Aichi International Arena in Japan on Sept. 17, 2026.

It was a defensive masterclass for the Filipinas after forcing Kazakhstan into 34 turnovers off 26 steals, one of the national team’s most impressive lockdown performances in any international tournament.

Gilas immediately suffocated Kazakhstan in the first 10 minutes of action, forcing it into nine turnovers and taking a commanding 25-9 lead.

Newly naturalized Gilas player Elizabeth Means impressed in her Gilas debut as she spearheaded the team’s high-octane attack with her two-way efficiency.

The 23-year-old NCAA Division II player flaunted her versatile offensive skill set, schooling the Kazakhstan defense with her ball-handling and elite shot-making.

Aside from Means, Gilas mainstay and veteran sniper Janine Pontejos also joined the first-quarter avalanche, burying timely 3-pointers that prevented Kazakhstan from inching closer heading into the next frame.

Despite Kazakhstan getting into its perimeter rhythm, Gilas found a way to regain its footing midway through the second quarter courtesy of Means’ relentless drives to the basket.

Stefanie Berberabe also contributed to Gilas’ recovery, leading the squad’s 11-3 closing run to end the half with a 49-32 advantage.

The game was pretty much over in the third quarter after Gilas dropped a demoralizing 27-point burst while limiting Kazakhstan to just eight points for a 76-40 cushion.

A balanced attack doomed Kazakhstan in the final canto as Gilas received a shooting exhibition from the trio of Jhaz Joson, Kent Pastrana and Pontejos.

Means was a walking bucket against Kazakhstan after exploding for a team-high 23 points on efficient 9-of-17 shooting from the field, alongside eight steals and four rebounds.

Berberabe backstopped Means with an all-around effort of 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and five steals, while Joson, Pastrana and Pontejos each had eight points.

It was a statement win delivered by the Filipinas despite heading into the Asian Games with uncertainty due to the absence of Jack Animam and Kacey Dela Rosa, Gilas’ two best frontcourt players.

Animam failed to make it in time due to a prior commitment with her overseas club, Energa Torun of the Polish Basket Liga, while Dela Rosa chose to lead Gilas’ 3×3 team.

Both teams will return to action on Sept. 20, with Gilas aiming for a 2-0 Asian Games start against Hong Kong while Kazakhstan seeks to redeem itself against Japan.