Gilas women’s team head coach Pat Aquino. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–A winless run in the 2019 Women’s Jones Cup did not set Gilas Pilipinas women’s team back in its preparations for bigger tournaments this year.
Despite dropping all their five games in their first Jones Cup stint, Gilas women’s head coach Pat Aquino said they still gained experience from the pocket tournament.
But the Filipinos admittedly had a tough time jelling on the court, especially with new faces in the team.
“We had a tough time because it was the first time for our players, including the Fil-Americans, to play together. It was a short tournament. Our players had tough time communicating inside the court,” said Aquino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Amelie Hotel Manila.
With very little time to train together, the Filipinos lost to New Zealand, Japan, Taipei A, South Korea and Taipei B. Japan won the title with a 5-0 record.
“We did not have the chemistry and the fluidity. The talent is there. It’s just that the other teams had chemistry,” added Aquino, who is a five-time UAAP women’s basketball champion coach. “That was our problem.”
The nationals have time to improve, though, with still a few months out before the Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines in November.
They are headed to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Bangalore, India from September 22 to 29.
“We will be a much better team heading to the SEA Games. I hope we can deliver in December,” said Aquino.