The Gilas Pilipinas Girls team ranked eighth in the world at the end of their 2019 FIBA 3×3 Under-18 Asia Cup campaign last Saturday in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
This was after the Filipinas toppled China, 14-11 in the bronze medal match.
And, this will be best finish ever for a Filipina team in the continental tournament, and after finishing with four wins and a loss.
Japan and Australia later claimed the men’s and women’s crown.
This was after Japan won easily over Kazakhstan, 21-13, in the men’s side.
In the women’s side, Australia swept its five-game assignment, and dominated Japan, 21-10.
Australia’s Shyla Heal, who is the daughter of Australian basketball legend Shane Heal, claimed the MVP honors after leading her team with 8 points in the finals.
Japan’s Saori Yasue took the MVP honors in the women’s division after totaling 42 points, Gilas Girls’ Kristine Cayabyab.
The game was tied at 11-all when Kristine Cayabyab put the Philippines after following up on Ella Fajardo miss with 55 ticks to go.
In the next play, Camille Clarin forced a held ball, or a turnover against China’s Xianglin Wu.
Angelica Surada then stripped Yingjie Chen before being fouled, China’s seventh.
Surada and Cayabyab led the Philippines with five points.