HANOI—Afril Bernardino scattered 20 points and hauled down 16 rebounds as the Philippine women’s team routed Thailand, 97-81, in 31st Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball action at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium on Wednesday.
“I’m just so happy again. They really worked hard and competed at the start,” said head coach Pat Aquino after the match where almost all of his wards contributed to the one-sided win. “I told the girls to just continue what they’re doing and that there’s no need for adjustments in every game.”
The Gilas women are 2-0 won-lost in the Games and are well on their way to retaining the gold medal the country won for the first time in 2019 back home.
Four consecutive threes from Filipino-American rookie Stefanie Berberabe, Chack Cabinbin, Janine Pontejos and Gabi Bade, another US-based player making her SEA Games debut, sparked a big run that turned a 27-25 lead into a 39-27 advantage in the second period.
Berberabe, a product of Westmont College in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, had 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals while Katrina Guytingco chipped in 10 points. Cabinbin, Clare Castro and Bade each had nine markers.
The Philippines tries to stay unbeaten when it battles Vietnam Thursday at 6 p.m. (Manila time).
“We always to it one game at a time and we’ll be ready against Vietnam,” Aquino said. “We’ll prepare harder. I know it’s going to be difficult against the host country, but we will do our very best.”
The Thais, who used to dominate women’s basketball in the region, came to within two points in the second quarter but that was the closest they could get to.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes