Peter Jandrei Melan

Gilas Pilipinas Women opened their 2025 William Jones Cup campaign on a sour note, absorbing an 85–69 loss at the hands of host nation Chinese Taipei at the Heping Basketball Gymnasium, July 2.

Photo Courtesy of FIBA.

Despite a competitive first half where the Filipinas trailed by just four, 39–35, the hosts pulled away with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Philippines 24–8 to build a 20-point cushion entering the final period.

Veteran center Jack Animam led the charge for Gilas with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while naturalized guard Naomi Panganiban added 11 points, three boards, and two steals. 

Ella Fajardo contributed 10 points, with Sumayah Sugapong and Vanessa De Jesus chipping in seven apiece.

Gilas showed flashes of fight in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 11 points after a Fajardo triple and back-to-back buckets from Sugapong trimmed the margin to 65–53. 

However, Chinese Taipei responded with a backbreaking 9–0 run, restoring control and sealing the win with a 74–53 lead midway through the final frame.

Towering 6-foot-4 forward Sidney Cooks proved unstoppable, anchoring Chinese Taipei’s effort with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and an assist. 

Cooks’ three-pointer early in the third quarter sparked the decisive run that left Gilas unable to recover.

With the loss, the Patrick Aquino-coached squad dropped to 0–1 in the tournament, while Chinese Taipei improved to 1–0.

Gilas Women look to bounce back when they face Thailand on Thursday, July 3, in their second assignment of the five-day tournament.