Chinese Taipei stifles Gilas to enter FIBA WAC playoffs

Afril Bernardino's impressive game was not enough as Chinese Taipei smothered Gilas to clinch a playoff spot. FIBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Chinese Taipei booked the last place in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup playoffs for Group B after becoming the latest to bludgeon Gilas Pilipinas through a 93-52 rout early Thursday (Philippine Time) at the Prince Hamza Sports Hall in Amman.

Despite a huge game from Afril Bernardino, Gilas missed out on making the quarterfinals and will have to face India again for survival.

Gilas actually kept the game close for most of the first quarter until Chinese Taipei ended the period on a 9-0 run for a 26-15 lead.

Gilas continued to battle its way in the second quarter, but Chinese Taipei still asserted its dominance and eventually pulled away with a 31-11 third quarter.

Lin Wen-Yu made 19 points on five three-pointers, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals for Chinese Taipei, which will take on South Korea later Thursday in the quarterfinal stage.

Cheng I-Hsiu added 14 markers on 6-for-8 shooting, seven boards, three dimes, and one steal.

Bernardino finished with a game-high 24 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block for Gilas, which will play India for seventh place and the right to stay in Division A.

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