China flexes muscle in Asia Cup for Women opener

Ria Nabalan. (c/o FIBA-Asia)

China flexed its muscle on the opening day of the FIBA Asia Cup for Women, demolishing the Philippines on Monday night, 143-52.

Eight out of the eleven players Limin Xu fielded scored in double figures, led by Liwei Yang's 21 points.

The eleven-time champions used their massive height advantage against the Gilas Women, amassing a 55-23 rebounding advantage that included a 40-15 mismatch in offensive rebounds.

That dominance extended to other categories, including turnovers, where the Philippines doubled China, 24 to 12.

After a sluggish start, the Pinays managed to stay with the team early on,reducing an early 15-3 deficit to just 22-15, but the Chinese cranked it up once again to end the first quarter trailing 35-17.

It was all downhill from there, with China scoring at will, netting themselves at least 34 points in all quarters, whilst Gilas Women could only 35 points the rest of the game.

Head coach Pat Aquino acknowledged the limited preparations that the squad had in the run-up to the competition, noting that they had a month to get themselves ready for this tournament, compared to their opposition who is fresh from a stint in Tokyo 2020.

Ella Fajardo, who made her senior debut with the national team, added that even if Coach Aquino told them that "they played their hardest," the team knows that they still have "more to bring" in the tournament. The Fairleigh Dickinson true freshman netted six points in just under thirteen and a half minutes.

Afril Bernardino was the lone Filipina in double figures with seventeen points.

The Philippines will even have a tougher hill to climb, as they face off against FIBA Women's World Cup hosts Australia at midnight tonight.