Gutsy Gilas Women comeback falls short as world No. 9 Japan escapes in FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

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Gilas Pilipinas Women erase a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but Japan hangs on to a three-point victory as the Philippines drops to 0-2 in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas Women rallied back from 22 points down in the fourth quarter, but their gutsy comeback attempt came up short as world No. 9 Japan escaped with an 85-82 win in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, on Monday, July 14.

With Japan comfortably ahead with its largest lead of the game, 83-61, at the 5:37 mark of the final period, the Filipinas went on a furious 17-0 blast, capped by an and-one play by Jack Animam to pull within just two possessions, 78-83, with still 42 seconds left on the game clock.

The Philippines even had a chance to cut the deficit into one possession after Animam was fouled anew with 15 ticks left, but the Gilas Women star went 1-of-2 from the line. 

Japan’s Monica Okoye then calmly sank two free throws on the other end, ultimately crushing any hopes of a Gilas Women upset. 

After being held to only 2 points on 1-of-11 shooting in their 78-point opening-day loss to Australia on Sunday, July 13, Animam bounced back big for Gilas Women with a monster double-double of 24 points on 10-of-18 field goal clip and 14 rebounds in the heartbreaking defeat.

Vanessa de Jesus and Naomi Panganiban helped Animam carry the Philippines’ scoring load with 13 points each, while Sumayah Sugapong chipped in 12 markers.

For Japan, Maki Takada topscored with 20 points, while Minami Yabu added 15.

After falling to 0-2 in Group B, Gilas Women face a must-win situation against fellow winless Lebanon at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, July 16.

The winner of that all-important showdown advances to the next round and secures a ticket to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournaments.

The Scores

Japan 85 – Takada 20, Yabu 15, Konno 9, Todo 8, Okoye 8, Mawuli 6, Miyazawa 5, Hoshi 4, Tokashiki 3, Tanaka 3, Kawai 2, Kuribayashi 2.

Philippines 82 – Animam 24, De Jesus 13, Panganiban 13, Sugapong 12, Surada 6, Castillo 5, Dela Rosa 4, Fajardo 3, Ozar 2, Villanueva 0, Pastrana 0, Pagdulagan 0.

Quarters: 31-20, 57-41, 77-57, 85-82.

– Rappler.com