The Philippine women’s national basketball was just a shot away from a monumental upset in the global stage, but a missed open triple by Khate Castillo spelled the difference as world number eight Brazil nipped the world number 40, 77-74, in the opener of the 2026 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers (FIBA WCQ) in Kigali on Monday.
Down by only a point, 75-74, with twenty seconds left, Castillo, who had fired three triples prior, found herself unmarked at the left corner but her shot missed, leading to the two made free throws by Caca Martins to seal the game.
“I think that was a great play, that was a good execution for that but we sorely missed that shot,” commented Philippine head coach Patrick Aquino.
Gilas Women though faced the two-time Olympic medalists and 1994 world champions with utmost valor, engaging in a close game that saw eight lead changes.
Jack Danielle Animam, Gilas’ lone pro currently playing in Australia, was a force in the shaded lane to lead with 18 points, 21 rebounds, and four blocks, but veteran forward Afril Bernardino and 18-year-old point guard Naomi Panganiban delivered in the payoff period, scoring a combined 10 points to keep their team within striking distance.
A Panganiban triple gave Gilas the lead midway in the quarte, 69-68, with her and Bernardino attacking the basket to tie the game at 74 with over a minute left.
However, the two went 1-of-4 from the foul line and missed two straight short stabs, which led to the go-ahead free throw by back-up center Aline Moura off a Bernardino foul, entering the last twenty seconds.
Four players scored in double digits for Brazil led by center Leticia Soares, who sank 15 points.
Bernardino excelled on both ends of the floor with 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two block while Panganiban added 13 points and five boards.
“This is their first game playing with professional players, veteran, you know, grown up women,” remarked Animam on Panganiban and their younger teammates.
“For them to put up a fight like that, I think for the coming games we are gonna build on that momentum,” the former UAAP Most Valuable Player added.
For her part, Brazil’s rookie mentor Bruna Rodrigues remarked that “the Philippines played really, really hard” and it was a “tough adjustment” for her in her first international game as national head coach.
According to Aquino, Gilas will “ride on this momentum” in tomorrow’s game against 2023 EuroBasket semifinalist Hungary.
The scores:
Brazil 77 – Soares 15, De Oliveira 13, Albiero 12, Martins 11, Goncalo 7, D’Arrigo 6, Silva 6, Moura 3, Pereira 2, Zabani 2, Guimaraes 0, Cavalcanti 0.
Philippines 74 – Animam 18, Bernardino 14, Panganiban 13, Castillo 9, Berberabe 9, Pontejos 6, Dela Rosa 5, Fajardo 0, Ouzar 0, Nolasco 0, Yumul 0.
Quarter scores: 20-19, 20-20, 20-18, 17-17
* * *
