THE Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 women are assured of a best-ever finish at the Asian Beach Games after entering the final, beating Singapore, 20-13, in the semifinals at the Sanya Sports Center Gymnasium on Wednesday in Sanya, China.
Mikka Cacho keyed crucial runs, including an early and one play followed by a score to push Gilas’ lead to four, 9-5, with 6:46 left in the ball game.
While the Singaporeans tried to keep things interesting with their outside shooting when they were within three points, 9-12, Tantoy Ferrer and Kaye Pingol connived to keep the cushion for the Philippines. With 2:26 left, Gilas were ahead by six, 17-11.
After the match, Cacho admitted that it was a hard-fought win, and they are now expecting a dogfight against host country China, whom they face in the final at 7 p.m. also on Wednesday.
“Super happy. But super tired. But, yeah, job’s not done. We still have the finals game for the gold medal. We’ll do our best,” said Cacho.
Cacho finished with a team-high outing of eight points while Ferrer added six markers of her own. Pingol chipped in five points while Gabi Bade put the icing on the cake with the last point of the match with five seconds remaining.
China clinched its spot in the final after outlasting Thailand in a thriller, 18-16, in the other semifinal earlier.
