CAN the Gilas Pilipinas women squad redeem itself from a horror debut? Coach Pat Aquino hopes so.
“The girls really tried their very hardest,” Aquino said. “Hopefully the next game, we’ll do better.”
The Filipina belles tangle with world No. 3 Australia today in the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A tournament in Amman, Jordan. The match is set at 12 a.m. at the Prince Hamza Hall.
The team was beaten by China black and blue 52-143 last Monday night in its opener while the Aussies posted a 76-65 victory over Chinese Taipei.
Afril Bernardino was the lone bright spot for Gilas with 17 points, to go with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Janine Pontejos added seven points, while Mar Prado had six and three.
Camille Clarin scored three points in her senior’s debut, while Ella Fajardo finished with six.
“Coach said that we played our hardest, but I know for a fact, and I can speak on behalf of the team that we have more to bring,” Fajardo said.
“Despite all the circumstances that we’re going through, like coach Pat said, our preparation time, the fact that we haven’t been playing basketball for about two years in the Philippines, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re gonna play Australia next, who just came from the Olympics as well.”
Fajardo insisted they are far from done.
“We have more in us. There are things that we can control, really, like getting back on defense for example. That’s something that we can control,” she said. “So, we just ask for your continued support.”
Aside from Bernardino, Pontejos, and Prado, leading the nationals charge are veterans Clare Castro, Andrea Tongco, Chack Cabinbin, and Ria Nabalan.
Other rookies in the squad are Ann Pingol and Kristine Cayabyab.
The last-placed team in the group will take on the bottom squad of the other group in a relegation match.
