LYON, France — Gilas Pilipinas Women faced a formidable challenge in their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament opener, falling to powerhouse France, 115-66, on Thursday at the Astroballe.
The Olympic silver medalists established dominance early with a 13-0 run, ending the first quarter with a 24-9 lead. France’s 115-point total set an all-time record for the most points scored by a single team in the competition’s history, breaking the previous record of 103 points set by China in 2022.
WNBA star Dominique Malonga led the French assault with 21 points and nine rebounds, while the host team utilized their size advantage to out-rebound the Philippines, 49-25. Despite the heavy deficit, Gilas showed resilience in the final frame, nearly matching France’s fourth-quarter output, 28-29.
Key Performers for Gilas Women:
- Sumayah Sugapong: 13 points
- Afril Bernardino: 12 points
- Kacey Dela Rosa: 11 points (UAAP MVP)
The road ahead remains difficult for the Philippine squad. Gilas is scheduled to face Germany on Friday midnight (Philippine time), followed by matches against Nigeria (March 14), South Korea (March 15), and Colombia (March 17).