Barring any major problems, the Philippine women’s basketball team will parade three Fil-American dribblers in a determined bid to win the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games here on December.
National coach Pat Aquino, who made history in the UAAP basketball wars by steering the National University Lady Bulldogs to a "five-peat" en route to an eye-popping 80-0 mark, refused to promise that the nationals will finally win the gold. But he expressed confidence that his new and young team will come to the biennial Games highly prepared.
‘‘I don’t want to say that we’re strong. We fell victims to the breaks of the game in the last SEAG in Indonesia. We’re just going to prepare very hard and we'll get back at our rivals,’’ Aquino said during the weekly Usapang Sports by the Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports Thursday at the National Press Club in Intramuros.
A loss to Indonesia took its toll in the Philippine campaign in the Jakarta SEA Games as Aquino’s wards failed to make it to the podium.
Aquino said three Fil-Am players—-Gabe Bade, Arnecia Hawkins, Kelli Hayes–may suit up for the Philippines in the SEA Games.
Aquino came to the forum with two-time UAAP MVP Jack Animan. Animan, who will see action for the 5th and final time for the Lady Bulldogs, said it will be great to win the gold in front of the home crowd.