Two Gilas women teams join WPBA Invitational 3x3
SIX teams bannered by Gilas Pilipinas women duke it out in the anticipated return of the Women’s Philippine Basketball Association (WPBA) Invitational 3x3 Monday at the Ayala Malls Makati Circuit.
Two Gilas teams join the fray that already has Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy-Go For-Gold, Angelis Resort and Uratex Dream as the women’s division of Asia’s oldest professional league plunges back to action for the first time since 2016.
UAAP Most Valuable Player Kacey dela Rosa of Ateneo de Manila University headlines Gilas A with Hazelle Yam, Kristine Cayabyab, Katrina Guytingco, and Mikka Cacho while Jhazmin Joson, April Tano, Luisa San Juan and April Penaranda make up Gilas B.
National University’s Kaye Pingol, meanwhile, spearheads Uratex with Samantha Harada, Angelica Anies, Eunique Chan, April Siat and Cecilia Junsay as Angelis Resort banks on veteran Allana Lim with Jenina Ann Solis, Francince Geli, Mary Joy Galicia, Fiona Gonalo, and Alyssa Villamor.
Afril Bernardino, also a Gilas mainstay, will represent Philippine Navy-Go For Gold along with Andrea Tongco, Trixie Antiquiera, Janille De Castro, Janelle Mendoza and Josephine Ong while the Philippine Air Force has Daphnie Tecson, Analyn Almazan, Abigail Manzanares, Kristine Abriam, Fria Bernado and Cindy Resultay.
Ms. Lim was an inaugural participant of the WPBA 3x3 seven years ago alongside Mmess. Geli, Almazan, and Bernardo before their fitting comeback this time.
Uratex and Angelis Resort clash at 3:35 p.m. to fire off the four-game opener followed by the sibling clash of Gilas A and B at 3:55 p.m. Uratex returns to play at 4:15 p.m. against Air Force as Gilas A wraps up the opener with a duel against Angelis Resort at 4:35 p.m.
Games will be played during playdates of the PBA men’s 3x3 Third Conference with the top four teams after the 15-game elims through three legs advancing to the grand finals next month at the Ayala Malls Glorietta. —