Photo from FibaAsia.com
The odds are stacked against the Philippine women’s national basketball team heading into the 2017 Fiba Women’s Asia Cup after being drawn in the same group with tournament favorites Japan and Australia.
But more than facing a daunting task, Perlas Pilipinas coach Pat Aquino feels facing the top teams in Asia and Oceania is a big challenge that the team should embrace.
“It’s the way to level up. The only thing that can happen to us is to go up. It’s a challenge for us to compete with that kind of level,” Aquino told reporters during the PSA Forum Tuesday.
Japan is a two-time Asian champion and will be led by 6-foot-3 forward Ramu Tokashiki, who is currently playing for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.
Australia, on the other hand, will be bannered by four WNBA players in Marianna Tolo, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Tessa Lavey and Laura Hodges.
The Philippines, which is now ranked fifth in Asia, had a historic Fiba Asia stint two years ago after finally cracking Level I.
Aquino said this year’s team is not much different from the previous.
Making up the PH team, which is also in the same group as South Korea, are Allana Lim, Afril Bernardino, Raisa Palmera-Dy, Camille Sambile, Claire Castro
Rounding out the team are Andrea Tongco, Janine Pontejos, Chack Cabinbin, Cindy Resultay, Jack Animam, Gemma Miranda and Amby Almazan.
The Fiba Asia Cup is set on July 23-29 in Bangalore, India.