‘Don’t get intimidated,’ says Perlas Pilipinas coach Aquino
BACK in the Division I of the FIBA Asia Women’s Cup, the Philippine women’s basketball team has found itself in the group of death where it is bracketed with Japan, Korea and Australia.
“Wow, that was my first reaction,” head coach Patrick Aquino told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview. Perlas Pilipinas will be playing in the FIBA Asia Women’s event in July, a month before the team plunges to action in the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia where the Filipinas are tipped to win the gold medal after the squad ruled the SEABA Women’s Championship last year.
“Definitely, this tournament will serve as a good preparation for the SEA Games because in FIBA Asia, you’ll be experiencing a higher level of competition,” added Mr. Aquino.
In the FIBA Asia Women’s Cup, Perlas Pilipinas’ mettle will be tested as Asian powerhouse squads will be there to meet them.
Mr. Aquino had one important reminder though to his team.
“You have to prove to them that you belong. Don’t be intimidated. This is a good opportunity for us, to gain the experience of playing against the elite teams. We have no inhibitions of making it to the top, but unless you don’t believe in yourselves, you have no chance of even competing against them. We have to be there not just a team on a vacation, but a team that is willing to compete and play the best,” added Mr. Aquino. Two years ago, Perlas Pilipinas was playing in the Division 2 of the tournament, but worked its way back to the top. Its remarkable improvement was capped by a sensational sweep of the SEABA capped by a big win over previous champion Malaysia.
Just recently, Perlas Pilipinas was given a citation by the world’s governing body in basketball — the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) for its huge improvement over the past two years.
Mr. Aquino is hoping his team would use it as motivation and play with a chip on their shoulders in the FIBA Asia Cup.
Now on his third year handling the team, Mr. Aquino will be pinning his hopes on his old reliables Allana Lim and Afril Bernardino, his two top players in the SEABA tournament as well as mainstays Ambie Almazan, Ewon Arayi, comebacking center Clare Castro, Camille Sambile, Jack Animam, Cindy Resultay, Shelley Gupilan, Raiza Dy, Gemma Miranda, Janine Pontejos, Chack Cabinbin, Andrea Tongco, Ara Abaca and Lovejoy Sto. Domingo.
Mr. Aquino also clarified that Perlas Pilipinas had already parted ways with Fil-Am Daniela Nopuente who failed to impress during the training sessions. The multi-titled coach of the National University Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP, though is hoping the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas could fast track the naturalization of Kelly Hardeman and get her in time for the major events.