MALACCA—Perlas Pilipinas unleashed its crippling pressure defense in the second period to baffle Singapore en route to an easy 69-43 triumph at the start of the SEABA Women’s Championship at the Bukit Serindit Indoor Stadium here.
A 21-4 run allowed the Filipinas to break the game wide open as they never looked back to serve notice of their title aspirations.
That backbreaking stretch, which started in the final four minutes of the second period had the Philippines taking a 46-27 lead going to the half time break.
With their defense clicking, the Blackwater Women-backed Perlas Pilipinas was able to force Singapore to commit 14 turnovers, resulting in 16 points off their miscues.
Sparking the team’s rout was Chak Cabinbin, a new inclusion in the squad.
A perennial MVP in the WNCAA, Cabinbin was inserted in the line up to take over the spot of Fil-Am guard Sofia Roman, who is still finishing her studies in the United States.
The pint-sized guard Cabinbin scored 13 points after two quarters on her way to finishing with 16 markers to lead all Perlas Pilipinas scorers. Backing Cabinbin was Camill Sambile, a mainstay of the national team, who had eight of her 10 in the second period alone.
Games today (Bukit Serindit Indoor Stadium)
4 p.m. – Laos vs Philippines
6 p.m. – Singapore vs Thailand
8 p.m. – Indonesia vs Malaysia
