SURAT THANI, Thailand – Careline Pilipinas shackled Sri Lanka with its half-court defense down the stretch as it fashioned out a 76-62 victory, its second in three games in the elimination round of the FIBA-Asia U18 Women’s Championship at the Surat Thani gym here yesterday.
The Nationals, led by Marie Claire Aseron, Elrica Castro Lore Rivera and Jacqueline Tanaman, held the Sri Lankans to only six points in the last period to annex the victory as they primed up for their crucial match against a taller, heftier Indian team today.
The win came on the heels of Team RP’s 58-55 victory over Syria last Thursday as the Filipinas bounced back from a humiliating 22-86 blowout to Thailand in the opening day.
India drubbed Syria in the second game, 97-44, to remain the only unbeaten team in Level II.
The Filipinas need to beat India and hope that the Indians drop their final elims game to the Thais to gain a crack at one of the two quarterfinal slots staked in Level II.
“With the way they are playing, nothing is impossible, even India seems beatable,” said coach Pat Aquino.
The Filipinas actually squandered a 14-point lead in the third quarter but recovered in time to regain control before finishing off the Sri Lankans with their pressing defense.
“We worked on our defense in the fourth period and took their shooters away from their comfort zones. This win is a good morale boost for us before facing India tomorrow (Saturday),” said Aquino.
Aseron fired 23 points while Castro tossed in 16 points to make up for the sub-par performance of skipper Danica Jose. The Miriam College star and daughter of ex-pro Bobby Jose struggled for just three points, but snared 16 rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
Jose scored 14 points against Syria.
Rivera and Tanaman also combined for 20 points and teamed up to silence Sri Lanka’s top shooters Buddika Wijinayake and Weerartna.
“We just have to play more as a team against India and get rid of some of our bad habits on defense. Good defense and teamwork will be the key,” said Aquino.