By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
Lowest-seed Perlas Pilipinas lost their opening match of the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup against powerhouse Netherlands, 21-11, at the Philippine Arena this afternoon.
The Pinay ballers, who qualified for the first time in the tournament, grabbed an early 3-2 lead but the Dutch lady ballers countered with a massive run to mount a 12-4 lead.
Perlas Pilipinas cut the lead down to 3, 13-10, with 3:40 left in the game.
But the Dutch team stepped on the gas once again, limiting the host team to just a single point en route to a 21-11 finish.
Janine Pontejos led Perlas Pilipinas with 6 points, Afril Bernardino scored 4 while Jack Danielle Aminam contributed a single point. Gemma Miranda went scoreless in the game.
Karin Kujit led the Dutch ballers with 8 points, Jacobine Klerx scored 6, Loyce Bettonvil had 4 markers while Sharon Beld added 3.