Tryouts for Filipina women cagers that will form the Gilas team will include talents from Fil-Am Nation Select, an organization that seeks to provide a platform for Filipino-American athletes.
GILAS Pilipinas women’s squad is set to build its roster for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cups and the 31st Southeast Asian Games by holding a tryout on June 4-5 at La Verne, California.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is partnering with Fil-Am Nation Select, an organization that seeks to provide a platform for Filipino-American athletes, primarily focusing on basketball with possible expansion to volleyball in the coming months.
“Partnering with Fil-Am Nation allows for us to build a connection; and most importantly, relationship with the Fil-Am coaches and, of course, players so that we can build a bridge, and more players would be eligible to play for their country,” said Gilas Pilipinas women’s head coach Patrick Aquino, who handles both 5-on-5 and 3×3 teams.
Notable players who received invites are Mai-Loni Henson, Chanelle Molina, Vanessa de Jesus, and Ella Fajardo along with 23 other athletes.
Henson played for Division III French team Al Aplemont after graduating from Washington, while the 5-foot-9 guard Chanelle Molina is a product of Washington State who joined the training camp for Indiana Fever in the WNBA, but was waived after an injury some days before the start of training.
Chanelle will not be the only Molina that will join the tryout as her sisters Cherilyn and Celina will join her as well.
Vanessa De Jesus, on the other hand, is currently playing for Duke University in the US NCAA Division I and has been in talks with coach Pat, revealing that they are now arranging her documents in order to secure a Philippine passport.
Not a new face for the Gilas Squad, Ella Fajardo has been with the national team being part of the Gilas U-18 3x3 that played in the World Cup in 2019 placing 8th.
Other national team tryout invitees are Sacramento State’s Gabi Bade, George Washington’s Aurea Gingras, New Mexico State’s Mel Isbell, and UC Berkeley’s Lei McIntosh.
Also with them are, Nevada’s Gabby Rones, North Park’s Angie Villasin, Fresno Pacific’s Jessica Malzarte, St. Thomas’s Janelle Ganer, Southwest’s Lynette Garon, La Verne’s Lei Talaro, Westmont’s Stefanie Bernerabe, Cal Poly Pomona’s Jayda Villareal, and Southern Utah’s Daylani Ballena.
The FIBA Asia Women’s Cup will take place on September 26-October 3 while the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup will be held sometime this year and the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi is scheduled before the year ends.(NP)
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