Perlas Pilipinas downs Malaysia in SEA Games women's basketball opener

Perlas Pilipinas defeated Malaysia, 65-59, on Monday in its first game in the 27th Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball competitions at the Zayar Thiri Indoor Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

The Philippines debuted with a win in the round-robin five-team tournament, somewhat avenging the country’s earlier defeat against the Malaysians in the FIBA-Asia Women’s Championship Level II in Thailand last month.

The Filipina cagers will next face defending champion Thailand on Tuesday. The Thais beat the Philippines for the gold medal in the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

Discovery Perlas Pilipinas had already defeated Thailand on their home soil during the FIBA-Asia tilt. - Reuben Terrado, SPIN