Indonesia def Gilas Women, 89-68 [2023 SEA Games | May 12, 2023]

After a strong showing against Singapore, the Gilas Pilipinas women will next battle dangerous Indonesia.

Two wins into the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, coach Pat Aquino feels it’s time to empty his sleeve of aces.

“You always try to save something for the big games,” he told the Inquirer on Thursday.

And for his courageous band of Gilas Pilipinas women, it doesn’t get bigger than this.

The Philippines battles Indonesia on Friday at Morodok Techo National Stadium in a game that could decide the Gilas women’s bid for a third straight gold medal in the biennial meet.

“That’s a key game,” Aquino said in a phone call. “Indonesia has already beaten all the top teams. Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. We’re the only ones left in their way.”

After running host Cambodia through a shredder with a 60-point rout (114-54) in their first game, the Filipino women put on a defensive clinic in the third quarter and limited Singapore to five points there for a 94-63 victory.

It was the second straight win for the Philippines. And it was a timely one as the men’s team dropped a 79-68 defeat to a heavily reinforced Cambodia squad in a later match on Thursday.