By Ryann Yap

Khate Castillo catered a 7-for-11 three-point display as Gilas Pilipinas women's basketball team seized a 31-point blowout, 118-87, over the homegirls, Vietnam, to maintain their clean slate at the 31st Southeast Asian Games at Thanh Tri Gymnasium on Thursday.

PHOTOS: Philippine Star

Gilas wielded the game tempo early on and never looked back as their sizzling scoring runs culminated in a 40-point, first-quarter dominance, doubling Vietnam’s total.

Sinking three consecutive triples in the first frame, Castillo listed 25 points, followed by two 14-point performances by Afril Bernardino and Elisha Bade, enough to seal the deal for the girls in blue.

The Philippine squad maintained their enormous lead in the second frame, 58-35, due to Bade’s four drains from the three-point land contributing to Gilas’ 17 total hits from downtown that became a key factor in the one-sided affair.

Vietnam continued to fight back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit down to 18 points, 74-56, led by Thao Vy Truong and Mailee Jones’ high percentage baskets.

Truong posted a game-high 30 points, while Jones had 29 points on her resume but fell short to beat the Filipinas’ reign for a 3-0 record perfection.

However, Andrea Tongco answered the call as Vietnam got closer after unleashing two three-point shots to erupt a 28-point advantage for Gilas, 90-62, entering the final frame.

Gilas women's next assignment for the gold hunt will be Singapore this coming Saturday, and topping it all off against the second placer in the standings, Malaysia, with 2-1 in their books alongside Indonesia on Sunday.