By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--Gilas Pilipinas Women became the first team to win the gold in the Southeast Asian Games 3x3 basketball tournament after downing Thailand, 17-13, in the final at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Monday.
Afril Bernardino sizzled in the gold medal match at the right time as she towed Gilas Women to a revenge over the Thais, who beat them in their last pool stage assignment earlier Monday.
With Thailand, ranked 33rd in the world, threatening to make a repeat of its upset after taking a 4-3 lead, the 21st-ranked Gilas Women went on a 13-2 run with Bernardino scoring nine of their last 11 points in that run to open a 16-6 lead with 3:49 to play.
Thailand still tried to come back after scoring five straight points to cut Gilas Women's lead to five, 16-11, but Bernardino scored the dagger layup to seal their win.
Bernardino finished with 11 points, while Jack Animan added three, Janine Pontejos had two, and Clare Castro scored one for Gilas Women.
Warunee Kitraksa paced Thailand with five markers.
Box Scores:
Philippines 17-Bernardino 11, Animam 3, Pontejos 2, Castro 1
Thailand 13-Kitraksa 5, Prajuapsook 4, Thuamon 2, Banmoo 2
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