RP cagebelles rip Singapore for a sizzling SEABA start

The RP women’s national basketball team debuted in style in the 7th SEABA Women's Championship, dealing Singapore a sound 101-34 beating Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The lady dribblers of coach Haydee Ong were unforgiving on defense. Using a stifling pressure defense, the Nationals forced the Singaporeans to commit 36 turnovers. The Filipinas also completed 22 steals, three of them from Fil-Am Melissa Jacob. On offense, the RP cagebelles shot a respectable 47-percent from the field, including 10 triples. “We showed them that we can play with a killer’s instinct. Despite having big leads early, we continued to pound it against our rivals and stay competing until the end . This is the kind of game we want to show against big guns like Malaysia and Thailand," said Ong. Fatima Tolentino finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead four players in double figures for the host team, which opened a 10-0 lead and didn’t look back from there. Sarah Tan was the lone Singaporean player in double figures with 16 points, including four treys. But the visiting team failed to solve the full court press employed by the Nationals for much of the game.

The team takes a breather Monday and will be back in action Tuesday against five-time champion Malaysia. The Malaysians also had a good start by posting an impressive 84-60 win over Indonesia in the first game. “It’s a big game because if we beat Malaysia, then we will advance one step into the the finals. We have to work hard defensively because Malaysia is a good perimeter team and has big players," added Ong. Defending champion Thailand completes the five team cast of this tournament. All competing teams will play in a single round robin with the top two squads disputing the crown. Thailand squares off with Malaysia in the main game Monday after the Singapore-Indonesia tussle. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV