By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Gilas Pilipinas Women basketball squad suffered an early wake-up call in their 2021 FIBA Asia Cup opening game after receiving a demolition job from the Chinese national team, 143-52.
The Gilas Women were just dominated in every facet of the game. Even when China decided to play big and PH countered with a quicker lineup hoping to push the ball faster for points, it was still ineffective.
Gilas’ closest margin against China was during the first five minutes of the first quarter, 10-15 when the Filipinas were able to sink their three-pointers consistently.
After the sequence, it was a total domination display for the Chinese team as they just stomped over the Gilas squad led by WNBA pro player Han Xu who is a member of the New York Liberty.
Xu was all over Gilas and was unstoppable whenever she was inside the playing court as she contributed 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block for the Chinese national team.
Gilas was led by Afril Bernardino who poured in 17 huge points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Despite the stellar showing of Bernardino, the Philippines still lacked offensive firepower as she was the only one who scored in double-digits.
The Gilas Women squad still has two games left in the tournament and is aiming to redeem themselves against Australia and Chinese Taipei.
