PHNOM PENH.—Gilas Pilipinas opened its bid for a third straight women’s basketball crown in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, defeating Cambodia, 114-54, on Wednesday at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2.
Ella Fajardo had 17 points while Jack Animam added 16 points for Gilas Women, who used their pressing defense to take advantage of the lean Cambodian team relying mostly on their naturalized players.
“That was the game plan,” said Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino, referring to their pressure defense. “I think we have the fresher legs. I think they had a hard time last night in their game against Malaysia. That was our advantage.”
Cambodia absorbed its second straight loss after a 101-107 defeat to Malaysia last Tuesday.
Fajardo had 12 points in the first half that saw Gilas outscore Cambodia, 36-11, for a 58-31 halftime lead.
Gilas will play six successive days during the tournament, and is set to face Singapore Thursday at 3 p.m. (4 p.m. Philippine standard time) for its second game.