SEABA Women: RP thrashes defending champ Thailand

The Philippine women’s national team dished out a performance worthy of a gold medal in the 7th SEABA Women Championship with an 83-57 thrashing of defending champion Thailand at the end of the elimination round on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Nationals backed their full-court trapping defense with near-perfect outside shooting to complete a four-game sweep of the eliminations. Sylvia Valencia, Angeli Gloriani and Bernadette Mercado came off the bench for the Haydee Ong-coached squad and combined for 11-of-14 shooting from the three-point range. “We made our long shots while they (Thais) failed to convert their shots. We played very well today even with our defense," said Ong, who is bidding to give the country a first ever SEABA women’s crown. It was the first loss after three lopsided victories for the Thais, who will once again face the Philippines on Friday with the hope of defending the title they won in 2007 in Phuket. “It’s not going to be the same game (Friday)," guaranteed Thailand’s Chinese coach Xuan Min Zhao. Valencia made all of her three triples while Gloriani missed one of her four attempts as the Nationals turned to their outside shooting whenever the Thais made a run. The Thais, who will represent Southeast Asia in the Guangzhou Asian Games in China, were very much in contention only in the first half. They led by one point at the end of the first period, 17-16. Two free throws by Eiamsum Ang on a foul by Bernadette Mercado had the Thais leading for the last time at 30-28. Valencia then caught fire, firing back-to-back treys, while Mercado added another trifecta in the Nationals’ 15-6 run, giving the hosts a 43-36 spread after 20 minutes of action. The Philippines continued with its hot shooting at the start of the third period with Melissa Jacob and Joan Grajales sinking consecutive triples in a 12-3 exchange to push the lead to 55-39. The Thais trimmed that lead to eight behind the inside points of Naruemol Banmoo and Nipa Sangkhum, but that was the closest that they could get as Valencia and Gloriani kept them at bay with outside shots. Ong said the win gave her players the needed confidence heading into the one-game finals. “We still have to meet one more time. But we have proven we can win over them. I hope we can carry on with this performance for tomorrow’s game," added Ong. In the other game, five-time champion Malaysia routed Singapore, 85-57, to finish the elimination round with a 2-2 record. They will meet Indonesia (1-3) in the battle for third place. – KY, JVP, GMANews.TV