Gilas Women waste big lead, fall to Mexico in FIBA Olympic pre-qualifier opener

Gilas Pilipinas Women let a big lead slip away as they suffered a narrow 61-58 loss to host team Mexico in the 2026 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament on Tuesday in Arena Astros in Guadalajara.

A pair of free throws from Vanessa de Jesus and a jumper from Jack Animam saw the Filipinas take a comfortable 57-47 lead in the fourth frame.

But the Mexicans refused to disappoint at their home court with Mayra Gil sparking the rally by unleashing a three-pointer. Alexia Lagunas knocked down a jumper before Hazel Ramirez completed a three-point play that trimmed the gap to two, 55-57.

Gil converted another layup to tie things up before issuing the pass that led to a jumper for Ramirez to help Mexico take a 59-57 lead in the final 1:09.

Animam had a chance to tie the game, but the national team mainstay split her free throws, allowing Mexico to preserve its slim lead at 59-58 with only 21 seconds left to play.

Destiny Pitts gave Mexico a 60-58 advantage off her own split before Anisa Jeffries sank one freebie off an unsportsmanlike foul from De Jesus as Mexico completed the come-from-behind win.

De Jesus top-scored Gilas Women with 15 points while also posting three rebounds and three assists. Animam finished with 14 markers, six boards, one assist, and one steal as they fell 0-1 in the tournament.

Jeffries led Mexico with 17 points laced with 10 rebounds and three steals while Ramirez posted 12 markers.

Gilas will look to bounce back on Thursday against Canada at 7:30 a.m.

—JMB, GMA News