MEDAN, Indonesia. — The RP team clobbered
host Indonesia 83-68 Saturday to grab the Level II silver
medal in the 19th FIBA Asia under-18 ladies championship and
earn a playoff crack at a slot in the elite division in the
next edition of the biennial regional joust.
The RP belles, backed by Xtreme Magic Sing, were to play Level
I fifth placer Malaysia Sunday in a playoff to determine
whether the Philippines will stay in Level II or be promoted
to the elite group in 2010.
With key players Fria Bernardo and Angelica
Ortega doubtful starters due to injuries, RP coach Raymond
Celis said they’re facing tall odds against the tall Malaysian
team but didn’t rule out an upset.
The RP girls, after all, have overcome
tough adversities here to place second behind Kazakhstan in
Level II and eighth overall counting Level I protagonists
China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and India. It’s
the best finish by the country in this tourney since it placed
third out of only four entries in the fifth edition of this
competition in 1978 in Manila.
Perennial champion China and Japan were to
fight for the crown also yesterday.
Raiza Rose Palmera scored a game-high 22
points while Kat Sandel came through with a double-double
performance with 19 points and 17 rebounds to lead the RP
girls to the victory and a closing 4-1 win-loss record in the
competition.
Kazakhstan scored a five-game sweep for the
Level II gold medal and also a playoff shot at the elite group
against India. Thailand came in third with a 3-2 slate
followed by Indonesia (2-3), Hong Kong (1-4) and Singapore
(0-5).
Cindy Resultay and Agatha Marie Estrero
also put in significant numbers for the Xtreme RP squad which
jumped the gun on Indonesia and kept control throughout the
contest.
The RP belles took the opening quarter at 25-15, the half
at 36-33 and the end of the third at 59-51.
