Asian Games: Gilas Women 3x3 deliver silver medal for PH, fall short of gold vs. Japan in finals | GMA News Online - GMA Network

Gilas Pilipinas Women came so close to a rare Asian Games gold medal, but will take home a silver instead after falling to Japan in the women's 3x3 basketball finals, 21-11, on Friday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Japan.

Gilas Women delivered the Philippines' eighth overall medal and only the second silver.

Kacey Dela Rosa, despite being the focus of Japan’s defensive scheme, still chipped in six points, three rebounds, and three blocks, while Amyah Espanol and Kennan Ka added three and two points.

Maria Pasilang was held scoreless but made her presence felt on the boards with four rebounds.

Sakura Horiuchi made life difficult for the Filipinas after the 20-year-old sharpshooter torched Gilas Women with back-to-back two-pointers that gave the hosts a 7-3 lead early.

Dela Rosa then found her groove in the paint, sinking a pair of baskets that pulled the Philippines just within four, 8-12, after trailing by as much as six before that.

But the Japanese squad continued to wax hot from deep with Haruka Yamamoto, Yuki Hirashita, and Horiuchi all burying a two-point bucket each to close out Gilas with a 9-3 run and take home the gold medal.