THE Philippines U18 girls swept the tournament and successfully defended their title in the Asean School Games with an 80-42 victory over Singapore yesterday in the just-concluded tournament played at the House of Champions Gem in Mall Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
With the win, the Piao Fedillaga-mentored young Pinay cagebelles booked their back-to-back title victory in this Asean age-group competition.
Silay City’s Kent Jane Pastrana consistently led the Philippine side with 14 points in 25 minutes hitting 40 percent from the field as Ilongga Karl Ann Pingol delivered 12 points. Carla Mariz Galamiton, Angelica Marie Surada and Bacolod City’s Lina Goto added 10 points each and Aloha Marie Betanio shared nine points.
Muqi Xie and Esther Akinfiresoye Lim fired 11 points each for Singapore.
En route to the finals, the Philippine side survived a tough face-off against Thailand, 71-69, where Pastrana hit 25 points, Pingol 17 and Galamiton 16.
Silay City-based assistant Coach Denden Velez reiterated that the selection of Pastrana and Bacolod City’s Lina Goto only proved that Negrense athletes can compete with anybody given the chance.
“We have the talent and just need the proper support,” stressed Velez, who steered the Western Visayas girls’ team to a back-to-back silver finish in Palaro.