By Mark Angelo Mañez

PHOTO: SPIN PH

Perlas Pilipinas' chances of notching their first win remained dim as they absorbed its third straight blowout, this time in the hands of Chinese Taipei 52-93, at the 2021 FIBA Asia Women's Cup in Amman, Jordan Wednesday evening (Thursday midnight in Manila).

Lin Wen-yu took charge in the showdown of Group B's winless squads, chugging in 19 markers on top of her four rebounds. Cheng I-Hsiu and Liu Hsi-Yeh combined for 27, with the latter going 4-for-9 from rainbow distance. Cheng also fished out seven rebounds and 3 assists for the victory.

Coach Pat Aquino's wards went toe-to-toe in the first 20 minutes as they only trailed by 15, 45-30, when Chinese Taipei started dropping their long range missiles to break the game wide open.

Chinese Taipei scorched hot from deep, knocking down 15 of their 41 attempts as against Perlas PH's 2-for-14. Turnovers also put the Filipinas in bad shape, turning it 26 times that led to 31 turnover points for the Taiwanese. 

Afril Bernardino was PH's lone bright spot all game, notching 24 points and 14 rebounds. She topped it all off with three dimes and two interceptions in 32 minutes on the floor. Clare Castro backed her up with a 14-point, six rebound show.

The loss also relegated them to a final showdown with India in the 7-8 classification position, with the winner remaining in Division A in the next edition in 2025.

The Scores:

CHINESE TAIPEI 93 -- Lin WY 19, Cheng 14, Liu 13, Lin YT 8, Tai 8, Chu 7, Chen 7, Lin T 6, Peng 5, Han 4, Wang 2, Lin HF 0.

PHILIPPINES 52 -- Bernardino 24, Castro 14, Fajardo 5, Pontejos 4, Nabalan 3, Tongco 2, Cabinbin 0, Castillo 0, Clarin 0, Prado 0, Cayabyab 0.

Quarters: 26-15, 45-30, 76-41, 93-52.