By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Gilas Pilipinas national women’s basketball team squandered an early double-digit lead before pulling off a 73-70 escape over Lebanon in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China on Wednesday, July 16.

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana finished with seven points, including a three-pointer, to go with one rebound in limited minutes as Gilas Pilipinas women finished third in Pool B with a 1-2 win-loss slate.

Leading by as many as 17 points at 29-12 after the opening quarter, Gilas found themselves trailing at 61-62 following a huge run by Lebanon.

Jack Danielle Animam restored order for Gilas as she unloaded back-to-back inside hits followed by a basket by Kacey dela Rosa for a 67-62 advantage.

Lebanon responded with two straight baskets from Zena Elias and Maria Ghaleb to cut the deficit to 66-67.

However, an inside hit by Dela Rosa and two free throws by Sumayah Sugapong widened Gilas Pilipinas Women’s advantage to 71-66.

The Lebanese made their last push on two free throws by Jillian Archer and split charities by Rebecca Akl and Archer to make it a 70-71 score before Naomi Panganiban secured the win for Gilas with two free throws.

Panganiban top-scored with 15 points, while Animam tallied a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds.

Sugapong, Vanessa de Jesus and Dela Rosa contributed 13, 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for Gilas.

With the victory, Gilas Pilipinas women have clinched a quarterfinal seat in the competition as well as an automatic slot to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Archer led Lebanon with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Akl and Elias added 13 and 10 markers, respectively./ASC, WDJ