The Philippine national women’s basketball team kissed its World Cup hopes goodbye after getting steamrolled by China, 117-43, in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup quarterfinals on Thursday at Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru, India.
Perlas Pilipinas had just needed a mammoth upset to China, ranked 10th in the world and 11-time Asian champions, in order to book a ticket to the Women’s Basketball World Cup next year. But the Filipinas couldn’t put up a fight against the mighty Chinese who bulldozed them from start to finish.
China jumped to a 33-13 first quarter lead and limited Perlas Pilipinas to just two points in the second frame to build an insurmountable 61-15 halftime cushion and cruise to the easy win.
Afril Bernardino scored 11 points while Camille Sambile made 10 markers to lead Perlas Pilipinas.
Despite the loss, Perlas Pilipinas’ tournament isn’t done yet. The squad will still play games in the classification round as it tries to retain its Division A status and avoid relegation.
