Vets take charge as Gilas Women enter win column in Jones Cup

The veteran trio of Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam and Janine Pontejos took charge as Gilas Women thumped Harimau Malaysia, 74-63, to barge into the win column in the 34th Jones Cup on Sunday, July 7, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.

It was Animam who started the work in the first half for the Filipinas before Bernardino, Pontejos and Naomi Panganiban starred in the third quarter pullaway for Gilas to bounce back from an opening day defeat against Chinese Taipei B.

Bernardino led the way for the Filipina cagebelles with 13 points, six rebounds and six steals while Animam had nine of her 10 points in the first half to go along with her nine rebounds.

Three other players finished with at least eight points led by Pontejos whose two long bombs fueled a 21-9 blitz in the third frame. Gilas was only up ahead by seven, 34-27, at the break before erecting a 55-36 lead late in the third.

Gabby Ramos, playing for only her second game with the seniors, finished with eight points along with Louna Ozar while Panganiban chipped in seven.

Gilas has now caught its victim at a similar 1-1 spot in the standings.

Destiny Samuel led the Malaysian club team with 21 points and seven rebounds. Her squad, however, couldn’t string points together enough to threaten the Filipinas who led in double figures for the majority of the second half.