The Gilas Pilipinas Women exited the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament on a high note.

The Philippines pulled away for a 74-59 triumph over World’s No. 19 Colombia on Tuesday night, March 17 (Philippine time) at the Astroballe in Lyon, France, for a breakthrough win in the competition.

A loss to South Korea on Sunday, March 15, had dashed the Gilas Women’s hopes of advancing to the World Cup, but they made sure that they would not go home empty-handed.

Kacey dela Rosa submitted a dominant 25-point, 19-rebound double-double, while Sumayah Sugapong added 21 points for the Philippines.

“Being on this stage is an incredible honor and a vital learning experience for the national program. I also want to thank my players. I’m so proud of them for doing a good job today,” Gilas Women’s head coach Patrick Aquino said during the post-game press conference.

“We talked about our energy. It was lacking in the first half. The numbers we weren’t getting. We just told one another, ‘We’re gonna make history if we win this game.’ And I think the girls woke up and played that well,” he explained of their performance in the second half en route to the victory.

Gilas Women had trailed 40-33 at the half but turned things around in the third quarter, where they held Colombia to just seven points.

A 23-12 fourth quarter completed the comeback for the Philippines, who finished the tournament with a 1-4 win-loss record.

“Everybody is just super happy, super proud to come out of this tournament with a win. I think it’s huge, not only for the girls sitting in the locker room and the coaches, but everybody watching back home in the Philippines, even in the United States,” Sugapong said.

“We did a lot for our country. I think we represented well. We will be able to go home on a good note,” she added.

Jenifer Munoz led Colombia with 11 points.

Colombia finished the tournament without a win. (ABS-CBN News)