By REYNALD MAGALLON
Janine Pontejos and Ana Castillo rained down treys as Gilas Pilipinas clobbered Kazakhstan, 83-59, for a rousing start to its campaign in the women’s basketball event in the 19th Asian Games at the Shaoxing Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
The Filipinas, who recently rose to their highest FIBA world ranking at No. 37, stamped their class against the No. 70 Kazakhs following a strong second quarter showing which practically set the tone for the rout.
Gilas exploded for 23 points in that frame but its defense proved to be the biggest turning point in the contest after limiting Kazakhstan to a measly nine points.
Gilas broke the game wide open from there, turning what once seemed to be a tight game at 17-all at the end of the opening period into a massive 40-26 lead at the half.
Highlighting the suffocating defense for the Filipinas was the 15 steals they recorded which accounted for the huge chunk of the Kazakh’s 23 turnovers.
With its defensive fangs biting hard on Kazakhstan, Gilas then turned to Pontejos and Castillo who both came out with their guns locked and loaded after drilling a combined 12 of the Nationals’ 13 triples.
Pontejos led the charge for the Filipinas with 21 points built on seven triples while Castillo finished with 15 – all of which came from five long bombs she unloaded.
Afril Bernardino also made her presence felt with 11 points while Jack Animam provided the perfect complement to Gilas’ outside sniping with a solid play inside the paint to finish with nine points and 12 rebounds.
Stefanie Berberabe also orchestrated the attack with eight points and six assists.
Tamara Kuzmina led Kazakhstan with 12 points while Daria Koroleva and Anna Bezgodova chipped in 11 apiece in a losing effort.
