The Gilas Pilipinas Women lost steam in the fourth quarter and absorbed a 94-74 loss against Japan Universiade in the 2025 William Jones Cup in Taipei on Saturday, July 5.

The 20-point loss knocked the Gilas Women out of contention for the Jones Cup title.

Gilas started strong in the opening frame, leading by as much as 10 points for the unbeaten Japanese squad.

The Nationals thwarted a comeback by Japan late in the second quarter to keep a slim lead at the half, 46-44.

But the tides turned for Gilas in the second half, despite the surge led by Ella Fajardo and Naomi Panganiban’s back-to-back triples.

The Japanese team took advantage of Jack Animam’s absence on the floor in the last two minutes of the third quarter, sparking a 12-0 run, giving them a 66-58 advantage entering the payoff period.

Gilas tried to spark a comeback in the fourth quarter, but the team’s shots were no longer falling and could not respond to Japan’s scoring burst.

Japan led by 10 points early in the payoff period and never looked back, extending the margin to 20 points at the final buzzer.

The blowout loss put to waste Animam’s double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds, including two steals.

Panganiban chipped in 14 points from six field goals, three assists and two steals. Louna Ozar added 11 points, while rookie Sumayah Sugapong tallied 10 markers and three boards in the losing effort.

Fajardo and Vanessa de Jesus contributed nine points each.

Japan outrebounded Gilas, 42-35, also overtaking them in assists 23-14.

Five players tallied double digits for Japan with Maika Mura leading the way with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Azusa Ahina, Suzuno Higuchi, Ufuoma Tanaka, and Haru Owaki contributed 11 points each in Japan’s win.

The defeat sent the Nationals to a 1-3 record in the tournament. (ABS-CBN News)