Gilas Women back on track in Jones Cup with rout of Thailand

July 4 ------ GILAS Pilipinas Women bounced back from their opening game loss in the 2025 William Jones Cup, defeating Southeast Asia neighbor Thailand, 83-66, at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium. The Filipina ballers atoned for their 85-59 loss to host Chinese Taipei last Wednesday to improve their record to 1-1.

Jack Animam finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Vanessa de Jesus also had 23 points including three triples for Gilas Women as they pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring Thailand, 26-12. Sumaya Sumampong was the other Filipina in double digits in scoring with 11 points.

Gilas Women face South Korea on Friday as part of its build-up for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzen, China next week. Gilas Women got off to a bad start to the tournament in the 26-point defeat over Chinese Taipei even with Animan’s 18-point, nine-rebound effort. De Jesus, set to transfer to Notre Dame in the next NCAA Division 1 season after her fourth and final year with Duke, struggled in the Gilas opener with only 3-of-12 from the field to end up with seven points.

The scores:

Philippines 83 – Animam 23, De Jesus 23, Sumampong 11, Ozar 8, Fajardo 7, Panganiban 6, Guytingco 3, Duenas 2, Villanueva 0, Castillo 0, Del Carmen 0.

Thailand 66 – Kunchuan 16, Udomsuk 13, Thongdaeng 11, Wongtapha 8, Klunbut 6, Bunsinprom 5, Summat 4, Thuamon 3, Grant 0, Prajuapsook 0, Naumkong 0.

Quarters: 22-25; 36-37; 62-49; 83-66.

Source: spin.ph