Gilas Women open FIBA Women's Asia Cup campaign with 76-point loss to Australia

Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed a tough defeat to open their 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup campaign, falling to Australia on Sunday with a 115-39 loss at the Shenzhen Sports Complex in China.

The Filipinas, who have yet to win against the Australians in any FIBA-sanctioned event, dropped to an early 0-1 card in Group B.

No Gilas player breached a double-digit mark with ace player Jack Animam being held to just two points as she shot 1-of-11 from the field, while also grabbing five rebounds and two steals. 

Instead, it was the young guns who carried the fight for the world no. 44 Philippines. Vanessa de Jesus led the way with nine markers to go with three rebounds and one assist while Kent Pastrana and Naomi Panganiban each poured in eight points. 

Veteran Khate Castillo finished with six points. 

A 12-0 start in the first quarter was exactly what Australia needed to create separation from the Philippines as they used that blistering opening to end the first frame already enjoying a 31-14 lead. 

Gilas could not put the clamps on Sara Blicavs and Miela Goodchild, who connived to bring the Australians to a massive 53-25 cushion. 

But it was the telling second half that ultimately took the fight out of the wards of head coach Patrick Aquino as Australia built the lead to 76 en route to the statement win. 

Goodchild topscored for Australia with 19 points while Chloe, who only had seven markers at halftime, finished with 16 points together with 10 rebounds and two assists. 

Blicavs tallied 17 points laced with six rebounds, one assist, and a steal as Courtney Woods and Alexandra Fowler each chipped in 11 markers. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News