Perlas five gets back at Indonesia

MALACCA, Malaysia – Perlas Pilipinas turned back Indonesia, the same team which defeated the national squad in last year’s Southeast Asian Games, with a vengeful 72- 56 triumph in the SEABA Women’s Championship at the Bukit Serindit Indoor Stadium here.

Facing a team that cost the Philippines its gold medal chance in the Singapore Games women’s competitions, the Filipinas came out smoking right from the start.

They dictated the tempo early on, using their vaunted pressure defense and getting the rebounds that produced 24 second-chance points.

Overall, the Philippines outrebounded Indonesia, 56-37.

Allana Lim finished with a near double-double performance of 24 points and nine rebounds while Cindy Resultay contributed 15 to lead the Filipinas to the morale- boosting win heading to their virtual championship showdown with Malaysia.

“They have this belief that they won against us in the SEA Games and they can beat us again. But we came prepared also. But it’s payback time. We had the chance to win the gold, but we lost to Indonesia,” said Aquino.

Indonesia played its best game of the tournament against the Philippines, but couldn’t come closer than eight points, 51-43, in the third period.

Baskets from Lim and split charities from Ambi Almazan pushed Perlas Pilipinas’ lead to 15, 68-53, with 4:11 left.

The Philippines was playing Malaysia at 8 p.m. last night in a make-or-break game.

The Filipinas can win the gold medal for the first time and end a six- year drought in the tournament with a win against the host team.