Janine Pontejos gets smothered by two defenders during the Philippines’ game against Australia in the 2021 Fiba Women’s Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan. Australia won, 120-56. Photo from Fiba.com
MANILA, Philippines-The Philippines will have its work cut out for itself in the Fiba Women’s Asia Cup this June.
Gilas Pilipinas takes on host Australia on June 26 at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre for its first match in Group B of the tournament that dangles four qualification spots for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Things aren’t going to get any easier for the Pat Aquino-mentored squad as it plays defending and six-time champion Japan the next day.
Gilas then plays Chinese-Taipei, another squad that is looking to rekindle its lost glory in the showcase.
The past three meetings between the Philippines and Australia saw Gilas get blown into smithereens, losing by an average of 57.3 points.
Their last encounter in the Women’s Asia Cup actually had the Aussies running away with 120-56 drubbing of the Filipinos.
The top two finishers of each group advance to the final four, while the third placers will try to salvage a spot in the semifinal.
The Women’s Asia Cup will take place a little over a month after Gilas’ title-retention bid in the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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