The Philippine national women’s basketball team scored a come-from-behind 63-56 win over Indonesia in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games last Thursday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Philippines leaned on the towering presence of Jack Animam, who was still wearing a protective mask after suffering an orbital fracture during FIBA World Cup qualifiers. She scored six of her total nine points in the fourth quarter, along with delivering 12 rebounds; while Janine Pontejos drained four free throws and finished the game with 16 points, five steals, three assists, and two rebounds; and Kelli Hayes tallied 12 points and two rebounds.
The Philippines’ head coach Patrick Aquino admitted the win was huge.
“I’m just happy and thankful we passed Indonesia,” he said. “For the past two Southeast Asian Games, [they were] one of the teams that tormented us.”
“I said to the team earlier, if we pass Indonesia, our foot is inside the box already,” the coach added.
The Philippines next faces Malaysia this Sunday./ASC, WDJ