Gilas Women heads to World Cup pre-qualifiers by finishing sixth in Asia Cup

July 21 ------ GILAS Pilipinas Women closed out its FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a 78-71 loss to New Zealand in its classification phase match in Shenzhen, China.

The Filipina ballers settled for sixth-place in the tournament after conceding an 11-0 blast to the Tall Ferns that turned a 68-65 lead to a 76-68 deficit. The Philippines closed its campagin with an overall record of 1-4, but was still able to secure a spot in the pre-qualifying tournament of the 2026 FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup.

Vanessa de Jesus led Gilas Women with 16 points, while Khate Castillo had a solid outing with 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from threes. Naomi Panganiban had 11 points, including the layup that put Gilas Women ahead, 63-57, their biggest lead of the contest after trailing by as many as 15, 31-15, early in the second quarter.

Nevertheless, the Filipinas will vie for a World Cup berth next year, a ticket that they were able to clinch after beating Lebanon, 73-70, last Wednesday. The Philippines also had a shot at a semifinals, but lost to Korea, 104-71, last Friday night. Sumayah Sugapong finished with 11 points and four rebounds, but fouled out with three minutes to play.

Two games after being crowned as the best player in the win over Lebanon, Jack Animam had nine points, eight rebounds, four steals, and four blocks, as she battled against the tall New Zealand frontline. Esra McGoldrick finished with 17 points, while Emilia Shearer scored 16 points, including a layup to close that key run by New Zealand.

Source: spin.ph