World no. 40 Gilas Pilipinas Women troubled world no. 8 Brazil in the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament, absorbing a narrow loss, 77-74.
World number 40 Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed a tight loss to world number eight Brazil, 77-74, in the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
But star Jack Animam is seeing plenty of positives in the game which saw five gridlocks in the final quarter.
"It's a tough loss. But as a player, personally, I don't think it's a loss for us," said Animam, who registered a double-double of 18 points and 21 rebounds, along with four blocks, an assist, and a steal.
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She noted how Gilas Pilipinas Women is a relatively young team with an average age of 22. The youngest is Naomi Panganiban at 18.
"To be here and to see them play like that in one of the biggest stages and against one of the top 10 in the world, I would be so proud," Animam said. "We have nothing to lose and we have everything to gain."
"For them to put up a fight like that, we're gonna build on that momentum."
The Philippines actually shot better at the two-point range with 43.4% compared to Brazil's 35.6%.
But Coach Pat Aquino admitted they were outhustled in the transition game by the taller Brazilians.
It's not gonna get easier as Gilas will face the world no. 16 Hungary on Tuesday, August 20, 11 p.m. Philippine time. The Hungarians are also hungry for a win, after absorbing a 63-61 loss to Senegal.
"We are the underdog here. I think the girls fought hard, with a big heart," Aquino noted. "I think we have to really work hard more in the succeeding games."
Only the top two teams per group will advance to the knockout stage, with the winner of the tournament earning a berth to the Qualifying Tournament.