TOP ranked Indonesia have won the women’s 5x5 gold and now the fight is between Malaysia and the Philippines for the silver.
And cager Pang Hui Pin (pic) wants her team to defy the odds.
Malaysia are currently ranked third in the overall seven-team standings and they have a daunting task against second-ranked Philippines at the Morodok Techno Elephant Hall 2 today.
Both teams have won four matches and lost one, but Malaysia are one rung behind the Philippines as they have a lower point difference of 34 compared to the Filipinos who have 140.
Indonesia were crowned as the champions after winning all six matches yesterday.
Hui Pin knows they have to be on their toes to pull the rug from down under the Philippines, powered by four Navy and three American players.
“We’re not in a safe position to win the silver because although both teams have the same number of wins and defeats, they’re stronger,” said Hui Pin.
“We watched their match against Thailand earlier (yesterday) and the team boosted by the Navy and American players are fast.
“There’s a chance, but it all depends on our resilience.
“I believe as long as we can reduce the mistakes, we can emerge victorious.”
The Malaysians have beaten hosts (107-101), Singapore (75-39), Vietnam (76-72), Thailand (64-48) but lost to Indonesia (57-85).
Said Hui Pin: “Overall, I think we performed quite well. In the deciding match tomorrow, we just need to reduce our mistakes and fight until the end.”
Meanwhile, the national 5x5 men’s squad could not advance to the knockout round after finishing third in Group A with one win and two defeats.
They lost to the Philippines 49-94, Cambodia 90-104 but won 93-70 against Singapore.
They will face Vietnam in the fifth-place match today.
