SEA GAMES

Khate Castillo fires seven triples as Gilas Women beat host Vietnam on home soil

The Philippine women's basketball team was simply dominant in routing host Vietnam with a 118-87 blowout victory to remain unscathed at the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Thursday at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium.

With Khate Castillo exploding early from deep with 16 points, highlighted by four buckets from downtown, the Filipina cagers were able to enjoy a huge 23-point cushion at the break, 58-35.

That lead widened to 28, 88-60, after back-to-back triples from Andrea Tongco just after the third quarter entered the one-minute mark. Another veteran in Janine Pontejos made a jumper to close out the frame with the Philippines holding a 90-62 advantage.

The Filipinas, eager to bag the title anew, put the finishing kick in the payoff period to cruise to their third consecutive win in the tournament.

Castillo finished her stellar outing with 25 points and two assists while Afril Bernardino and Gabi Bade each had 14 points. Bernardino added 12 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

The Philippines now racked up three wins in as many games following lopsided wins over both Indonesia and Thailand.

—JMB, GMA News