SHENZHEN (China) - The Philippines are off to Division A after thrashing Lebanon in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup - Division B Final.
Women’s basketball in the Philippines is on the rise. That’s an inarguable fact as all of the teams at the senior, U18, and U16 levels have gained promotion to the top division of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in their competitions in the past two years.
This year’s U18 women’s cohort from the Philippines held the flame high, a testament to women’s basketball development programs being coordinated by their national federation.
Today at Futain Sports Park, Shenzhen, the court was lit with Filipina energy. They were out to have a party, showing incredible control, full-court pressure, and shooting from the arch like it was a walk in the park.
First Half Jitters to Dominance
The Philippines showed pace and tenacity as always, with a settling three early on from point guard Alyssa Rodriguez calming their nerves to hold a narrow three-point lead at quarter time.
Half-way through second quarter Naomi Panganiban made a steal and lay-up that woke the fury of the Philippines who then piled on another 22 points. It was raining from the arch with MArgarette Duenas, Tifanny Reyes, and Alyssa Rodriguez all finding nothing but net for the Philippines.
At the halfway mark, the Philippines had stacked on 33 points in the second quarter alone to lead by 27, 53-26.
Ferocious Filipinas
When injected into the game Ava Fajardo’s presence was felt, her footwork and ball control were first class, she finished the game with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
They shot from anywhere and were not afraid to attack the board, Sophia Canindo was ferocious anytime she got ball, but it was Alyssa Rodriguez who stood tallest amongst a mighty team of ballers.
Rodriguez finished with 22 points, and 3 steals, running at a team high efficiency of 21.
Rebounding Queen
Gabriella Ramos was prolific under the rim in what appeared to be an undersized Filipina outfit. She stood strong to finish the game with 8 rebounds, 2 points and 2 assists.
The Philippines collected 21 steals for the team that also shot three-pointers as a team at 38.5 percent.
From Lebanon, Reem El Ghali stood tall under the rim with offensive finesse that challenged the height and basketball IQ of the Philippines to finish with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists, but it was not enough to tame the Filipinas.
Third place for Samoa
Earlier in the day, Samoa came away with the W.
With five lead changes and a barrage of three-pointers in the third quarter, Samoa reigned supreme in the play-off for third at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – Division B defeating Iran 64-59.
It was the dynamic trio of Kira-May Filemu finishing with 20 rebounds,19 points, and 5 assists/steals, Peata Manumaleuga (22 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals) and surprise packet Tereise Sufia Reupena, 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals, who carried the might of Samoa to victory.
FIBA