Parading a newly rejuvenated lineup, Gilas is taking on a big challenge for the future of ladies basketball in the Philippines.
EVEN without the services of Jack Animam at the center, the Gilas Pilipinas is ready to take the challenge in the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asian Cup.
Parading a newly rejuvenated lineup, the team is taking on a big challenge for the future of women’s basketball in the Philippines.
The 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will bring together teams from China, Chinese-Taipei, India, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand, which makes up the Division A.
The 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup will be conducted from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 in Amman, Jordan.
Headlining the lineup are stalwarts Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, and Clare Castro, as well as veterans Chack Cabinbin and Andrea Tongco, and young guns Khate Castillo, Ria Nabalan, and Mar Prado.
These players have been in the national team for years with 2019 Southeast Asian Games experience under their belts.
Injected in the lineup are the fresh young bloods of Fairleigh Dickinson freshman Ella Fajardo and National U standouts Kristine Cayabyab, Camille Clarin, and Karl Ann Pingol.
Clarin and Fajardo are no strangers in the international basketball scene as the two have previously represented the Philippines in the FIBA 3x3 U23 Challenge last year.
"I think it will be an easy adjustment for them because it's the same system that I'm using with NU and I think they would be more familiarized with how I coach already," explained the multi-titled mentor Pat Aquino who is coaching both National University Lady Bulldogs and the Gilas Pilipinas Women's team.
"Because of the lack of preparations, I think Igot the people or the players that know how I coach and the system already. A little more adjustments are needed," the coach continued.
Familiarity will be a major building block for the fresh look national team.
Currently, they are waiting for the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force to conduct "bubble" training either at the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna or at the Summit Point Golf Course in Lipa, Batangas.
Though still with a very experienced and reliable lineup, Gilas will be missing the services of Jack Animam, Mai Loni Henson, and Kelli Hayes.
Hayes was a part of the N.U. Lady Bulldogs who clinched the most recent championship for N.U. and 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
On the other hand, Henson is a 6-foot-1 standout from the University of Washington.
But due to the complications of getting her Philippine passport, the Fil-Am from San Diego, California decided to embark her professional career in the European league before hopefully donning the Philippine colors in the future.
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