Gilas Women End William Jones Cup With Tough Loss To Chanson V-Magic

The curtains have fallen on Gilas Women’s campaign in the prestigious William Jones Cup in Taiwan, with the team grappling with a hard-fought 95-88 loss against the scorching Chanson V-Magic on Wednesday, August 9. Despite their spirited efforts, Gilas Women found themselves unable to stifle the blistering shooting performance of their Japanese opponents.

Janine Pontejos emerged as a shining beacon for the Filipinas, contributing a stellar 20 points, powered by an impressive 4-of-6 display from beyond the arc. However, the Japanese club, Chanson V-Magic, showcased their offensive prowess by firing on all cylinders, culminating in a flawless 5-0 record for the tournament.

The spotlight was on Kimika Takanohashi, who masterfully orchestrated a game-high 32-point performance with a remarkable 15-point explosion in the crucial fourth quarter. Takanohashi’s clutch baskets came one after another, thwarting any attempts by Gilas Women to seize control of the game.

As the final quarter dawned, Gilas Women appeared poised for a late-game surge, holding a narrow 69-65 advantage after a 10-4 scoring blitz ignited by the returning national team player Gabi Bade. Showcasing her versatility, Bade initiated the offensive barrage with a timely triple, concluding the run with a composed midrange jumper.

However, the tenacious Takanohashi wrested control back for Chanson V-Magic, engineering an 8-point surge in a 15-4 run. This surge catapulted the Japanese side to an 80-73 lead, leaving Gilas Women scrambling to regain their foothold.

In the face of adversity, Pontejos spearheaded a spirited comeback, sinking a pair of clutch three-pointers to narrow the gap to a mere whisker at 81-82. Yet, the relentless Japanese squad answered with a pair of uncontested jumpers, executed by Takanohashi and Mana Kaneda, extending their lead to 90-84.

Takanohashi’s mastery wasn’t yet fully revealed, as he sank an astonishing eighth three-pointer with a mere 35 seconds remaining, sealing the deal and solidifying Chanson V-Magic’s victory at 95-88.

Pontejos found a brave partner in Jack Animam, who recorded a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, bolstered by two blocks. Afril Bernardino made a significant contribution with 11 points and six assists, while Monique del Carmen added nine points and seven assists.

The William Jones Cup journey concluded with Gilas Women finishing with a 1-4 record in the six-team tournament. The team displayed commendable resilience, splitting their initial two matches with a loss against Chinese Taipei A and a triumph over Iran. However, they encountered a tough stretch, succumbing to three consecutive defeats at the hands of Chinese Taipei B, Korea, and Japan.

Despite the challenging tournament, Gilas Women’s basketball journey continues. The team is set to participate in the Women’s Korean Basketball League, further honing their skills as they gear up for the upcoming Asian Games scheduled for September. As they reflect on their experiences in the William Jones Cup, Gilas Women remain resolute, using these valuable lessons to fortify their preparations for the challenges on the international stage.