Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Perlas Pilipinas quashed a fourth quarter surge by India to run away with a 82-76 victory and secure promotion to Level I in the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship on Friday (September 4) in Wuhan.
Forward Afril Bernardino played a key role in Perlas’ victory, sizzling with 32 points with five rebounds and five assists.
Taking a slim 39-37 advantage into the third quarter, Perlas kicked into high gear and dominated India, 26-16. India could not find an answer to the Philippines’ attack and went into the final period facing a 65-53 deficit.
But it seemed that all the Indians needed to fight back was to recuperate during the break. India fought its way back in the game in the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to as little as 71-74 with a little over two minutes to play.
Unfortunately for the Indians that was as close as they would come as Bernardino, Allana Lim, and Merenciana Arari conspired to pour in eight points for the Philippines and put the game beyond doubt at 82-76.
The Perlas’ victory secured promotion for the Philippines into Level I of FIBA Asia, where it will join the likes of Japan, South Korea, and China.
