Gilas women suffer 49-point rout vs France in FIBA World Cup qualifiers

Gilas women’s Kacey dela Rosa

(FIBA)

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women absorbed a 49-point beating at the hands of World No. 3 France, 115-66, in the Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament at the Astroballe in Villeurbanne, Lyon.

The French ballers successfully defended home court as they won all four quarters in the dominant win.

Dominique Malonga powered France with 21 points and nine rebounds to lead six players in double figures. Alexia Cherry chipped in 16 markers, while Migna Toure had 14.

Gilas trailed by three, 4-7, in the early goings of the game.

But France ran away with a backbreaking 26-5 run that broke the game wide open, 33-9, in the second quarter.

An and-one play by and two 3-pointers by Janine Pontejos snapped France’s run with a 9-4 blitz, but the home squad could not be stopped.

The lead grew to as much as 51 points, 91-40, after a deuce by Aminata Gueye.

Janelle Salaun, Valeriane Ayayi and Marine Johannes produced 13, 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the winning team.

Sumayah Sugapong led the Filipinas with 13 markers. Afril Bernardino backstopped with 12 points and six rebounds before fouling out after 19 minutes of play.

The Filipinas will be back in action against World No. 12 Germany early Friday morning (Manila time).