Perlas bags SEABA crown

MANILA, Philippines – Perlas Pilipinas recovered in time and thwarted Malaysia’s late rally to hack out a 77-73 victory and clinch the SEABA Women’s Championship gold at the Bukit Serindit Indoor Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia late Saturday.

The Filipinas dominated the hosts majority of the way, posting leads of as many as 20, 71-51, early in the fourth quarter. But the Malaysians fought back in the closing minutes, unleashing a stinging 11-0 run to pull within four at 73-77 after Raiza Dy missed what had appeared to be an easy shot.

But the Malaysians turned the ball over in the next play, enabling the Filipinas to secure the win and clinch the championship with still one playdate left in the week-long tournament.

But with a 5-0 card, Perlas can still afford to drop its final match to Thailand late Sunday and still win the crown since only Malaysia can catch up with the Blackwater Women-backed squad at 5-1 and the Philippines will still clinch it via the winner-over-the other rule.

“I’m happy for the girls. I’m happy for our supporter, Blackwater and I’m happy for the country. We did it,” said Perlas Pilipinas coach Patrick Aquino.

Allana Lim led the way for Perlas Pilipinas with 16 points while Afril Bernardino and Ambi Almazan finished with double-double performances. Bernardino tallied 14 points and 10 boards while Almazan had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Perlas Pilipinas thus regained the SEABA crown the country last won in 2010 on a team coached by Heidi Ong.

Behind Lim and Bernardino, who hit eight points apiece in the first half, Perlas took charge early before settling for a nine-point lead, 43-34, at the turn.

The Filipinas again used their pressure defense to stymie the hosts’ playpatterns, forcing 19 turnovers and scoring 10 points off them.

They sustained their charge in the second half with Shelley Gupilan hitting a buzzer-beater to give the Philippines a 64-49 lead. Janine Pontejos then scored on a break as Perlas raced away to 71-51.