SBP President Al Panlilio has approved the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s request to start looking for a potential naturalized player for upcoming international plays.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women are bracing to level up their international play as the team has been given the greenlight to get a naturalized player.
According to Gilas program director and head coach Pat Aquino, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio has approved their request to start the search for a player who will be crucial for the continuing rise of the Filipinos in the international basketball field.
“Nag-go signal na si President Al. At masayang-masaya ako doon. Sabi niya ‘kuha ka na rin ng naturalized player mo.’ Nag-thank you ako,” said Pat Aquino at the sidelines of the UP-Ateneo second round match in the UAAP Season 85 at the Big Dome on Saturday as reported by PhilStar.
The development followed for Gilas women after Justin Brownlee appeared in a Congress hearing for the start of a lengthy naturalization process that will hopefully end just in time for the 2023 FIBA World Cup which will be hosted by the country.
Aquino’s search for a naturalized player will start with an overseas trip next month with the help of Fil-Am Nation Select founder and Gilas assistant coach Cris Gopez, reported Business Mirror.
On top of his agenda for the overseas trip is reconnecting with the Filipino-foreign players that finally debuted with Gilas in the recent international tournaments and to try to keep them committed for some upcoming meets.
The biggest event for women's basketball next year is the team’s three-peat bid in the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games as the team welcomes the presence of veteran Jack Animam after being sidelined with an ACL injury for almost a year.
Aside from SEA Games, the Filipina ballers are also preparing for a busy year ahead with stints in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and FIBA Asia Cup.
Tags: #Gilas, #women'bs basketball, #l,# naturalized player