#SEAGames2019: Gilas Women goes 3-0 to start homestand in 3x3

Host nation Philippines imposed their might and size to go 3-0 in the Women's 3x3 Tournament of the Southeast Asian Games Sunday at the San Juan Arena in San Juan City.

Parading the quartet of Clare Castro, Jack Danielle Animam, Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos, our Gilas Pilipinas Women went off to a flying start, routing Myanmar and getting close shaves against reigning 5-on-5 queens Malaysia and Indonesia to go on top of the pile in the preliminary round, where the top four teams move on to the medal rounds tomorrow.

The Filipinas barely broke a sweat against Myanmar early in the morning when Clare Castro unleashed her towering prowess to lead Gilas Women with an easy 21-4 win with the Queen Tamaraw from FEU lead the team with 8 points in the first game, as Pontejos hit all of her 6 from beyond the arc including the clincher from the left corner with 3:21 left in the game.

However, Malaysia turned into a tough nut to crack but the hosts scrape past them 15-13.

Gilas Women saw their 12-7 lead in the final two minutes evaporate and were threatened to go to extras but the desperation 2-ball by Hui Pin Pang went off to the left, relieving the home crowd that turned up in San Juan.

Pontejos lead the Filipinas this time with 5 markers, with the NU duo each had 4 points.

In the final game of the day, the Queen Scorpion from CEU showed why she was the top player in tatluhan where she led the Filipinas once again in their 16-13 triumph.

Racing to a 6-0 start, Gilas Women were pegged back by Indonesia, who inched closer to within a pair 1:16 to go but Bernardino and Pontejos scored two quick points to put the game away, with the latter leading the way with 6.

Already assured of their place in the medal rounds, the Philippines resume their homestand tomorrow, where they take on Vietnam and Thailand to complete their schedule.