PERLAS Pilipinas gained a promotion in Level 1 of the Fiba-Asia Women's Championships following an 82-76 win over India Friday in Wuhan, China.
Afril Bernardino poured in 32 points for the Filipina cagebelles, who gained the right to play in Division 1 of the 2017 edition of the Fiba-Asia meet in the company of powerhouse teams China, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Japan.
The 2017 Fiba-Asia tilt serves as qualifier for the 2018 Fiba-Asia Women’s Championship.
Perlas Pilipinas turned a 39-37 halftime lead into a sizeable margin following a big third quarter run that saw the Filipina cagebelles limiting India to just two points in the first five minutes of the period.
Skipper Ewon Arayi’s three-pointer put Perlas in command, 57-39.
India threatened in the stretch run by cutting the deficit to just four, but the Filipinas were not about to be denied as they hang tough in the endgame to claim the win.
Allana Lim had 20 points and nine rebounds, while Arayi added 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals for Perlas Pilipinas.
The Philippines got a shot at promotion after topping Level 2 at the end of group games with a 4-1 (win-loss slate).
The Filipina cagebelles began their campaign on a sorry note after losing to Malaysia, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champion, but then strung up four straight wins over North Korea, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and the highly-fancied Kazakhstan, which Perlas beat in overtime, 80-73, to clinch the no. 1 spot in its group.
The scores
Philippines (82) - Bernardino 32, Lim 20, Arayi 12, Gupilan 11, Borja 4, Roman 3, Sambile 0, Tongco 0, Animam 0, Resultay 0, Miranda 0.
India (76) - Skaria 28, Paul Durai 19, Subhashmon 11, Radhakrishnan 9, Limaye 4, Mahesha 3, Geetha 2, Nixon 0, Rajaganapathi 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22; 39-37; 65-53; 82-76.
