France smothers Gilas Women in World Cup Qualifiers

Sports

GILAS Pilipinas suffered a thorough beating at the hands of host team France, 66-115, in the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament early morning on Thursday (Philippine time), March 12.

With its tremendous size and height advantage, France proved too much for the Filipinos, quickly taking full contorl of the match by racing to a 19-4 start.

France would lead by as many as 51 points in the lopsided affair.

Dominique Malonga showed the way for France with 21 points and nine rebounds. Alexia Chery added 16 points, anelle Salaun pile dup 13 points and eight rebounds, while Migna Toure contributed 14 points.

Sumayah Sugapong topped Gilas with 13 points while Afril Bernardino had 12 points and six rebounds before fouling out. Kacey Dela Rosa added 11 points, four rebounds, and one assist.

The Nationals are eyeing to snare one of the two available spots for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany.

Gilas booked a spot in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time after finishing sixth in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. It is bracketed with France, Germany, Nigeria, South Korea, and Colombia.

The Nationals will try recover from the one-sided loss when they take on Germany at 12 a.m. on Friday, March 13.

Germany started its campaign with an easy 76-49 win ocer South Korea.

THE SCORES:

FRANCE (115)- Malonga 21, Chery 16, Toure 14, Salaun 13, Ayayi 11, Johannes 10, Gueye 9, Badiane 8, Lacan 7, Williams 6, Bernies 0, Astier 0.

PHILIPPINES (66)- Sugapong 13, Bernardino 12, Dela Rosa 11, Pontejos 8, Ozar 7, Berberabe 6, Dignadice 3, Pingol 2, Heyn 2, Pastrana 0, Guytingco 0.QUARTERSCORES: 24-9, 53-26, 86-38, 115-66.(CCM)