Made up of what its coach said as the best players of this era, the Philippines hopes to create a ripple as it makes its debut in the women’s division of the Fiba 3×3 World Cup on Friday at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Jack Danielle Animam, Afril Bernardino, Gemma Miranda and Janine Pontejos aim to seize their moment on the world stage as they begin their campaign in Pool D of the 20-nation tournament ruled last year by Russia in Nantes, France.
“This lineup is the best of this era,” said coach Pat Aquino, who has coached National U to five straight UAAP titles. “Everybody is just excited. It’s the first time that we’re in the 3×3 World Cup and we want to show that we belong in this tournament.”
The Filipinos open their bid against the Netherlands at 2:50 p.m., before battling Germany at 6:40 p.m.
After a break on Saturday when the men’s team begins its campaign, Aquino’s squad goes up against Spain at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, before squaring off with third seed Hungary at 7 p.m.
“We know the opponents are on another level, but of course we’re hoping that we can also play at their level,” Aquino said. “We’ll try to show the Filipino brand of play. With a bit of luck and puso (heart), we can get that quarterfinal spot.”
Only the Top 2 teams from each of the four brackets will advance to the knockout stage set on Tuesday.
“We have been practicing for the last three months,” Animam said. “We will be a surprise for everyone.”
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio confirmed that Christian Standhardinger will play on Saturday when the men’s team opens its bid against Brazil and Mongolia.
Standhardinger is nursing an inflamed knee, but Antonio said on Thursday night that the San Miguel Beer rookie has been given the green light to play alongside Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Stanley Pringle.