Gilas Women absorb 26-point beating vs. Chinese Taipei in Jones Cup opener

Gilas Pilipinas Women suffered an 85-69 blowout loss by the Chinese Taipei national team in their opening game in the 2025 William Jones Cup on Wednesday in Taiwan. 

Jack Animam and Naomi Panganiban paced the Filipinas with the veteran center posting 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals while the young guard churned out 11 markers, three boards, two dimes, and two steals. 

Ella Fajardo chipped in 10 points while Sumayah Sugapong and Vanessa De Jesus each registered seven markers for the Patrick Aquino-coached squad. 

But those were not enough as Gilas fell to 0-1 in the tournament while the hosts went 1-0 early. 

Chinese Taipei turned a slim 39-35 halftime lead to a 55-43 lead in the third after Sidney Cooks buried a three-pointer. They ended the frame enjoying a 63-43 cushion thanks to a 24-point outburst against just the 11 of Gilas. 

The Philippines put up a valiant stand with Ella Fajardo hitting a triple of her own followed by back-to-back baskets from Sugapong that allowed them to trim the deficit to 11, 53-65. 

But Chinese Taipei retaliated with a huge 9-0 rampage that made it a sizable 74-53 advantage for them en route to the lopsided victory. 

Cooks proved to be the thorn in Gilas' side as the 6-foot-4 reinforcement erupted for a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds laced with two steals and one assist. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News