MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas girls 3×3 basketball team reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Under-18 World Championships after posting a pair of victories the other day in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Camille Clarin was in the right place and at the right time for the Philippines squad. She scored on a buzzer-beating putback for a 10-9 victory over the No. 6 ranked Netherlands.
Trailing 3-1 early in the game, Ella Fajardo spearheaded a mini run by the Gilas to take the lead.
Ilongga Karl Ann Pingol then carried the fight for the Philippine team. They were able to force a 9-all draw with the Dutch on a free throw by Fajardo.
After struggling against Netherlands, Angelica Surada proved her worth for the Gilas Pilipinas squad in the extension period for a thrilling 15-14 victory over the Czech Republic.
Surada drew first blood for the Philippines in overtime but was quickly answered by Czech Republic’s Pavlína Tabačková for a 14-all count. Surada then scored a game-winner from a pass by Fajardo.
Clarin helped the Philippines erect a 13-8 lead with 2:35 left in the game but Sára Kocourková spearheaded a huge run for Czech to come to within two before Tabačková nailed a buzzer-beating deuce to send the game into extra time.
With three victories in its group, the Gilas Pilipinas moves on to the quarterfinals round where it will take on China in the knockout quarterfinals, which is being played as of press time on Friday./PN
