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Grace Under Pressure: Gilas Women Make History With Gritty Win Over Lebanon At FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025
Photo credit: FIBA
The Philippines showed remarkable composure under pressure, edging Lebanon, 73–70, in a thrilling contest at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 on Wednesday at the Shenzhen Sports Center — a victory of historic significance for the program.
Naomi Panganiban calmly sank two of the biggest free throws of her young career with 8.3 seconds left, giving the Filipinas just enough breathing room after Lebanon had clawed back to within a point. On the other end, the Gilas Women’s defense rose to the occasion, denying the Cedars a clean shot in the dying seconds and forcing a contested midrange attempt by Zena Elias that fell short as time expired.
For the Philippines, the win meant much more than simply breaking into the win column after an 0–2 start. By clinching third place in Group B, they secured a spot in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments — the first time ever the country has reached that stage — and ensured they will remain in Division A for at least another cycle. They also booked their place in Friday’s qualification to the semifinals, where they will face the Group A second seed, either Korea or New Zealand.
“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so,” said head coach Pat Aquino, beaming after the final buzzer. “We’re glad to be competing and not just staying here in Division A. But we still have to improve more — and we hope we level up again soon.”
Panganiban’s clutch free throws capped off a team effort that was as resilient as it was inspiring. She led all Filipino scorers with 15 points, including two timely three-pointers, alongside four rebounds and three assists. Jack Animam again anchored the paint with another signature double-double — 14 points and 16 rebounds, plus five assists and three steals — earning her TCL Player of the Game honors.
Sumayah Sugapong added 14 points and five rebounds, her hustle exemplified in the final moments as she dived for a loose ball that preserved possession and set up Panganiban’s game-sealing free throws. Vanessa De Jesus contributed 13 points, while Kacey Dela Rosa delivered her best performance of the tournament so far, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, and a block.
The win did not come easy. Lebanon fought back from an early deficit, briefly taking the lead midway through the fourth quarter, 62–61, after a five-point spurt from Jillian Archer and Elias. But Animam quickly restored order with back-to-back baskets, sparking a 6–0 reply that gave the Philippines control once more.
Lebanon had their chances late, but crucial missed free throws by Archer and Rebecca Akl left the door open for Gilas Women to hold on. Panganiban then iced the game at the line, capping a night that head coach Aquino described as a “proud moment for the girls, the federation, and women’s basketball in the Philippines.”
For Lebanon, Archer finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, while Akl added 13 points and Elias chipped in 10. Still winless at 0–3, Lebanon will play in the battle for seventh place on Friday to try and avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, the Philippines can afford to savor this historic win — if only briefly — before shifting focus to Friday’s knockout match. Hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2027, the team now has even more reason to believe it belongs on the sport’s biggest stages.
As Aquino put it: “We have to keep going, keep improving. That’s the goal of the team.”
Naomi Panganiban calmly sank two of the biggest free throws of her young career with 8.3 seconds left, giving the Filipinas just enough breathing room after Lebanon had clawed back to within a point. On the other end, the Gilas Women’s defense rose to the occasion, denying the Cedars a clean shot in the dying seconds and forcing a contested midrange attempt by Zena Elias that fell short as time expired.
For the Philippines, the win meant much more than simply breaking into the win column after an 0–2 start. By clinching third place in Group B, they secured a spot in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments — the first time ever the country has reached that stage — and ensured they will remain in Division A for at least another cycle. They also booked their place in Friday’s qualification to the semifinals, where they will face the Group A second seed, either Korea or New Zealand.
“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so,” said head coach Pat Aquino, beaming after the final buzzer. “We’re glad to be competing and not just staying here in Division A. But we still have to improve more — and we hope we level up again soon.”
Panganiban’s clutch free throws capped off a team effort that was as resilient as it was inspiring. She led all Filipino scorers with 15 points, including two timely three-pointers, alongside four rebounds and three assists. Jack Animam again anchored the paint with another signature double-double — 14 points and 16 rebounds, plus five assists and three steals — earning her TCL Player of the Game honors.
Sumayah Sugapong added 14 points and five rebounds, her hustle exemplified in the final moments as she dived for a loose ball that preserved possession and set up Panganiban’s game-sealing free throws. Vanessa De Jesus contributed 13 points, while Kacey Dela Rosa delivered her best performance of the tournament so far, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, and a block.
The win did not come easy. Lebanon fought back from an early deficit, briefly taking the lead midway through the fourth quarter, 62–61, after a five-point spurt from Jillian Archer and Elias. But Animam quickly restored order with back-to-back baskets, sparking a 6–0 reply that gave the Philippines control once more.
Lebanon had their chances late, but crucial missed free throws by Archer and Rebecca Akl left the door open for Gilas Women to hold on. Panganiban then iced the game at the line, capping a night that head coach Aquino described as a “proud moment for the girls, the federation, and women’s basketball in the Philippines.”
For Lebanon, Archer finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, while Akl added 13 points and Elias chipped in 10. Still winless at 0–3, Lebanon will play in the battle for seventh place on Friday to try and avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, the Philippines can afford to savor this historic win — if only briefly — before shifting focus to Friday’s knockout match. Hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2027, the team now has even more reason to believe it belongs on the sport’s biggest stages.
As Aquino put it: “We have to keep going, keep improving. That’s the goal of the team.”
Jul 16, 2025
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