MANILA, Philippines – The women's national basketball team kicked off its preparation for the Southeast Asian Games by outlasting a visiting Hungarian club on Monday at the Aero Center in Quezon City.

Clare Castro, a standout from Far Eastern University, nailed the go-ahead basket with 19 seconds left, and Perlas came up with a strong defensive stand in the closing seconds to secure an 82-78 victory over the TFSE basketball club.

FEU standout Clare Castro with the go-ahead basket. Perlas won 82-78. pic.twitter.com/KJbtdrP6FF

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It was a morale-boosting result for Perlas, and a triumphant debut for Filipino-American player Kelli Hayes who anchored the team's charge throughout the game.

"We made more fouls, but aside from that, they executed well. They were composed," said head coach Pat Aquino of his team.

"It's their first time together playing, with Kelli coming in and the new guys, I'm just happy that we won this game," he added.

Hayes gave a good account of herself in what was her first game since concluding her collegiate career at University of California-Los Angeles last year. Also shining in the contest were National University star Afril Bernardino, and veteran sharp-shooter Janine Pontejos who gave Perlas a huge lift with a much-needed three-pointer in crunch time.

TFSE head coach Bianka Magyar was suitably impressed with the performance of the Filipinas.

"They play very fast and very physical," she told ABS-CBN News.

"I think this Philippines team is a very good team, and we are very happy to be here and play such a good game," she also said.

A total of 17 players saw action in the tune-up game, and Aquino expects four more Filipino-American players – all from NCAA Division 1 schools – to be added to the pool. They whole team, including Hayes, will leave for Taiwan on Wednesday for their first team-building event.

"This is the start na for the preparation for the SEA Games, for FIBA (tournaments), for the Jones Cup," said Aquino.

"The objective is to get to know each other, play tough teams in Taiwan, maybe add more sa mga ginagawa namin dito," he also said. "The experiences that we'll gain them, para sa amin mas gusto ko yun for them."

As early as now, Aquino anticipates a tough selection process for the final roster that will represent the Philippines in international tournaments as well as the SEA Games. He had put together a strong group that includes several UAAP standouts, and with more Fil-Am players coming in, Aquino knows some difficult choices will be made.

"Every practice, they fight for their spots," he said of his players. "And it's good for the team."

"I hope na ako rin, maka-select ako ng the right people for the team. Hopefully the Fil-Ams that come in can really help us more," he added.

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