PERLAS Pilipinas rebounded strongly from a loss last night as it unleashed shock and awe on a hapless Myanmar side, scoring a 123-33 victory to get back on winning track in the Women’s Basketball Tournament of the 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
An emphatic first half, which saw the Filipinas exploding for 64 points for a 50-point lead at the break, put the country in control and never looked back to increase its record to 2-1.
Six players finished in double digits led by Clare Castro’s double-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks as the Philippines made a victorious comeback after losing to Indonesia last night, 78-68.
Raiza Rose Dy and Cindy Resultay added 16 points each off the bench, while reigning UAAP MVP Afril Bernardino, who struggled the last time out, had 15 points in just 12 minutes of play.
It was a beautiful game for the Philippines, overall. Seeking for its first SEA Games title, the team showed its worth, dominating every aspect of the game: from the rebounding department to the assist account, to the defensive hustle.
The Philippines thoroughly outrebounded Myanmar, 65-32, almost had four times as many as the latter’s assist with 31 and shot the ball at a very high 62 percent clip.
The nationals forced Myanmar to 31 turnovers, which they turned into 39 points, and limited them to just 21 percent shooting to score the tournament’s most lopsided win so far.
As the score the implied, the game was already decided even after the first half ended.
After the opening period, the Filipinas were already up by 25, 33-8, then continued to pounce on Myanmar’s series of turnovers in the next frame as they headed into the break with a convincing 64-14 lead.
The Philippines braces for a dogfight against Thailand tomorrow, before facing host Malaysia on Thursday, July 24.
The Scores:
PHILIPPINES 123 – Castro 21, Dy 16, Resultay 16, Bernardino 15, Pontejos 12, Animam 10, Lim 9, Almazan 8, Sambile 6, Abaca 4, Tongco 4, Cabinbin 2.
MYANMAR 33 – Htwe 8, Yu 8, H. Aung 7, Soe 6, Lin 4, Zin 0, Y. Aung 0, Moe 0, Hay 0.
Quarterscores: 33-8, 64-14, 86-19, 123-33.