GILAS Pilipinas girls’ youth team takes its turn in flying the flag high in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Under 16 (U16) Women’s Asian Championship in Jordan following the gallant stand of the national boys’ youth squad.
The Philippine cagebelles fly to Amman on Tuesday to slug it out against Indonesia, Syria and Samoa in Group A of the tilt slated June 24 to 30.
Ava Fajardo, sister of senior women’s team stalwart Ella, leads the Gilas teens that will work their way up from Division B.
Completing the team are Emaleena Elson, Hannah Lopez, Samantha Medina, Ryan Kelly Nair, Camille Nolasco, Kailah Jade Oani, Naomi Panganiban, Sierra Jade Patricio, Gabriella Ramos, BJ Villarin and Kristan Yumul.
Pepperdine University women’s basketball assistant coach Brian Rosario will mentor the squad with the help of long-time national women’s deputy mentor Julie Amos.
Gilas girls’ youth team international exposure is part of the overall development of the Philippine women’s team under the watch of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) women’s program director Pat Aquino.
Led by Mr. Aquino who also serves as women’s head coach, the Philippines maintained its Division A status in the FIBA Asia last year followed by successful gold medal defense in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games last month.
Meanwhile, the Gilas boys’ youth team finished in the Top 8 of the U16 Asian tilt in Doha, Qatar, though it could go up to seventh place in the still ongoing classification battle against Iran as of press time. — John Bryan Ulanday