# Gilas Women Lock Down Hong Kong in Fourth Quarter to Secure Asian Games Quarterfinal Spot

**By Jordan Wells**  \nPublished September 20, 2026  \nUpdated September 20, 2026

> Gilas Pilipinas Women overcame missing frontcourt pillars Jack Animam and Kacey Dela Rosa with a decisive fourth-quarter run against Hong Kong, earning a 90-73 victory and a quarterfinal spot in Nagoya.

While Philippine basketball absorbed the sting of an early exit in the men's tournament in Nagoya, Gilas Pilipinas Women delivered a decisive late-game surge at the Aichi International Arena. Facing Hong Kong without their primary interior anchors, the Filipinas turned a competitive battle into a 90-73 victory, securing a quarterfinal berth at the 20th Asian Games.

## Frontcourt Shortage Forces Tactical Adjustments

Gilas Women entered their Asian Games campaign stripped of two foundational frontcourt players: Jack Animam and Kacey Dela Rosa. Without Animam's paint protection and Dela Rosa's interior scoring, head coach BT Toews shifted the team's structural approach toward ball movement, perimeter pressure, and active team rebounding.

The national program's split roster strategy tested depth across multiple events. While younger squads competed concurrently at the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup—where the women's 3x3 team dropped tough contests against European powerhouses—the senior squad in Japan demonstrated impressive adaptability. Deprived of size, the Filipinas relied on quick baseline cuts, collective boxing out, and secondary playmaking to neutralize Hong Kong's frontline strength.

## Fourth-Quarter Breakdown Seals the Quarterfinal Ticket

For three quarters, Hong Kong remained within striking distance by testing the Filipinas' defensive shell and challenging their rotation depth. The final ten minutes, however, belonged entirely to Gilas Women.

Increasing their defensive intensity on the perimeter, the Filipinas forced turnover-driven transition opportunities and executed efficiently in the half-court. A tight contest dissolved into a decisive 17-point victory as Hong Kong's offense stalled under relentless pressure, guaranteeing Gilas Women a spot in the knockout rounds.

## Providing Narrative Balance After Men's Group Exit

The success of the women's team offers immediate relief following the disappointing outcome in the men's division. Entering as the defending Asian Games champion with an All-PBA roster, the Gilas Pilipinas Men's team failed to reach the knockout rounds in Nagoya.

After opening group play with an 89-85 loss to Bahrain and a 109-78 rebound victory over Kazakhstan, the men entered their group finale against China holding a +27 point differential. However, an overwhelming 105-61 loss to China erased that advantage, leaving the men with a 1-2 record and a -17 point differential. That drop allowed Jordan (-5) and Saudi Arabia (-11) to advance as the two best third-placed teams, relegating the Philippine men's team to a 9th-place finish.

Philippine Basketball 20th Asian Games Group Stage ComparisonTeamGroup RecordPoint DifferentialTournament OutcomeGilas Pilipinas WomenActiveN/AAdvanced to QuarterfinalsGilas Pilipinas Men1-2-17Eliminated (Finished 9th)tbodyWhere the men's squad faltered under point-differential pressure against China, Gilas Women executed precisely when the stakes peaked. By closing out Hong Kong with composure, the Filipinas ensured Philippine basketball representation remains active in knockout play at Aichi.

## Sources

- [teampilipinas.info](https://www.teampilipinas.info/2023/08/gilas-pilipinas-live-updates-schedule.html) — original
- [spin.ph](https://www.spin.ph/multisport/asian-games/asian-games-shame-as-gilas-bows-out-after-44-point-loss-to-china-a795-20260914) — original
- [tiebreakertimes.com.ph](https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/section/sports/basketball/gilas-pilipinas) — original
- [smartgilasbasketball.com](https://www.smartgilasbasketball.com/) — original