The Gilas Women national basketball team picked up another win in the 31st Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball tournament as they crushed Thailand, 97-81, on Wednesday at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Afril Bernardino filled the stat-sheet up as she tallied 20 points, 16 rebounds, three steals, and three blocked shots to help the reigning gold medal winners stand on top of the standings.
It was a close game in the first half but the Filipinas pulled away with a 12-2 run that gave them a 39-27 advantage. Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Andrea Tongco, and Clare Castro all took turns puncturing Thailand’s defense to give the Philippine side a 57-40 lead at halftime.
The Filipinas never took their eye off the ball and raised their lead to a high of 25, 88-63, with five minutes remaining in the contest.
Stefanie Berberabe added 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Trina Guytingco chipped in 10 markers.
Up next for the Gilas Women is Vietnam, who they face on Thursday at 6 p.m.