"The target is the gold nothing else,” said Philippine women’s basketball team head coach Patrick Aquino.
And if he and the team delivers, it will finally end the Philippines’ gold-less campaign in the SEA Games in women’s basketball, which Malaysia has dominated 13 times, with Thailand taking the remaining five crowns in the 18 stagings so far of the event.
The Philippines came close six times, finishing second in 1981, 1983, 1985, 1995, 2011, and 2013
Aquino has reasons to be optimistic even as he will be fielding a less experienced team from the 17 players currently on the national pool.
For one, he cited the fact that the home-court advantage will be a big factor plus the crowd support as the Philippines is hosting the SEAG later this year.
“We are also looking at 4 Fil-Am players to join us for the Jones Cup in July. This will practically serve as our final opportunity to finalize our SEA Games’ team. We will have 6’1” Kelli Hayes from UCLA, a returnee; 5’10” Arnecia Hawkins from the Arizona State University; 5’8” Gabe Bade, daughter of former local player Cris Bade, and who played for Sacramento State university; and 5’6” Meilyn Bautista from George Washington University. Definitely, they will be a big help to the team, “ said Aquino.
From the local side, he will rely on veterans Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam, Claire Castro, the tallest cager in the pool, spitfire guard Chack Cabinbin, shooter Janine Pontejos, Danica Jose, and Gemma Miranda among others, while hoping to get a slot are former UAAP stars Bea Daez from UP, Hazel Yam and Tin Deacon from Ateneo, Camille Claro, Kate Castillo, and Shaw Penaranda, all from De La Salle University, Eunique Chan from UE, NU’s Ria Nabalan, Andrea Tongco, and Trixie Antiquiera.
The team also enjoyed a recent training camp in Taipei, where the team played several games against local squads.
“The new players in the training pool may be lacking in international experience but they will more than make up for it with their heart, enthusiasm, and energy. These are the reasons why I believe we have good chances of finally winning that gold even as we accept there will be pressure on us,” added Aquino.
He has also beefed up his coaching staff composed of Paul Du and Julie Amos with the addition of UE women’s team head coach Ai Lebornio, and a possible entry of a PBA superstar player who is willing to help with developing individual skills of players.