New Zealand played “Jordan Rules” defense on top Pinay hotshot Vanessa De Jesus as her counterpart guard Charlisse Leger-Walker ruled to down the Philippines, 83-78, in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup semis playoffs Friday in Sydney.

The 5’9” Leger-Walker, averaging 14.7 points in the group stage, exploded for 34 points, six assists, and three steals off a 69% shooting clip from short distance as the Lady Tall Ferns advance to the semifinals against defending champion Japan tomorrow.

Win or lose, New Zealand will achieve its highest rank in the biennial tournament since entering the Asian zone in 2017.

It was a gritty fight for the Gilas women, as ex-UAAP stars Jhazmin Joson, Afril Bernardino, and Jack Animam towed the nationals in the close match.

It was a nightmare though for De Jesus, the naturalized played out of Duke University, who buckled with four points off 2/10 shooting from the field.

The prized combo guard, born to Filipino parents in the United States, has been averaging 18.3 points in Group B, leading Gilas to a 1-3 record.

As De Jesus fumbled, ex-Ateneo star Joson played excellently in all four quarters and led her team with 15 points after averaging only 1.3 points in the elimination round.

But it was Bernardino, the team’s long-time go-to player, who gave the Philippines a crack at the semis, exploding for 11 points in the third quarter for a 69-68 lead coming into the payoff period.

Tied at 72 for more than two minutes early in the fourth quarter, scored seven points in the clutch for an 83-76 blitz as Kate Castillo muffed a triple and while Leger-Walker stole a pass from France Cabinbin in the endgame to bury the Pinays.

As such, Gilas will battle it out against South Korea game for fifth place on July 1, 2023 (Philippine time).

Regardless of the result, the Philippines will achieve its best Asian Cup result since 1984 and will stay on the tournament top tier in 2025.

* * *