Gilas women seeking gold on home soil

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is putting its vote of confidence on the Gilas squad to deliver the country’s first-ever gold in women’s basketball of the Southeast Asian Games, which the country will host in December.

With the vast experience the Philippine women’s team has acquired from its campaigns in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and the Women’s Jones Cup, SBP president Al Panlilio said the Nationals are slowly but surely whipping themselves into a capable squad for the biennial tourney set Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

“The mandate of the SBP as often noted by our Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan is to always keep on improving. It could be marginal but as long as we’re moving forward then we’ll consider it as success,” said Panlilio after the Filipinas’ 92-78 win over India in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup held in Bengaluru.

“The win against India should only make our team more confident heading into the Southeast Asian Games. Only Malaysia and Thailand have won golds in the SEA Games but we feel this is the perfect time to win our first.”

Mentored by Pat Aquino and bannered by Fil-Am forward Kelli Hayes, Jack Animam, Gemma Miranda, Janine Pontejos and Afril Bernardino, the Philippines capped its mission in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup as the win over the home team kept the nation in the prestigious Division A.

The big win also assured the squad of a ticket to the FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifiying Tournament where the Filipinas are bracketed in Pool A together with Korea, New Zealand and China.

But that’s not the ultimate goal just yet for Gilas women and the SBP. Winning the gold medal in this year’s SEA Games remains the top priority.

“With the support of the entire Filipino nation and with our lineup getting additional help from more collegiate standouts after their respective seasons, we’re hopeful about our chances,” added Panlilio.

Compared to the men’s team which has ruled the SEA Games basketball 17 times out of the 19 editions, the Filipinas have yet to reign supreme with a pair of bronze medal finishes in 2011 and 2013 their highest finish thus far.

The Filipinas actually had its chances in 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games if not for a close four-point loss against eventual gold medalist Malaysia.