PASAY — After all the blood, sweat, and tears, a gold medal to show for all their hard work .
The women's senior basketball squad copped its maiden gold medal at the 30th Southeast Asian Games after disposing of Thailand in the most convincing way possible, 91-71, in front of an appreciative crowd at the MoA Arena.
The cagebelles were inches away from reaching the summit of the sport in the 2011 SEA Games and another bridesmaid finish in the ensuing edition in Myanmar, which was also their last podium finish in the event.
But the basketball gods had a funny way of drowning all the heartbreaks Tuesday evening when the women's squad finally snatched first place on home soil, having been silver-medal finishers six times and 5-time bronze medalists.
"Kumuha kami ng lakas ng loob sa mga talo namin sa international games, para dalhin ('yung experience) sa SEA Games at makuha ang first gold ng Pilipinas," said Team Captain Janine Pontejos after the match.
The 27-year-old scored 16 points in the win where Jack Animam added 21. S
Afril Bernardino was her usual gung-ho self, grabbing 15 rebounds together with 10 points.
The 20-point drubbing, Pontejos says, is a culmination of all their sacrifices.
"Hard work ng bawat isa talaga. Mula sa mga teammates ko hanggang coahing staff. Ang dami naming pinagdaanan," said Pontejos, adding all their twice-a-day practices were all worth it.
"Ito na 'yun, nakuha na natin ang pinaghirapan natin lahat."
Tiffany Bias led the Thai side with 15 points, but the visitors could not stop a second half storm barreling in from the Filipinas as they saw a mere 45-43 deficit coming into the third quarter become a 68-52 tally heading into the final frame.
The Thais only scored 9 points in the pivotal third quarter, where the Filipinas pulled away, carrying enough momentum to comfortably stave off Thailand in the last quarter.