SEA Games: Animam, Bernardino spearhead PH women’s basketball campaign

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine national women’s basketball team hopes to finally breakthrough by winning the country’s first Southeast Asian Games gold medal in the event early next month here.

Spearheading Gilas Pilipinas women are Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos.

Joining the three are Fil-American Kelli Hayes, Clare Castro, Chack Cabinbin, Danica Jose, Gemma Miranda, Ria Nabalan, Khate Castillo and Andrea Tongco.

Animan, Bernardino, Castro and Pontejos will also compete in the 3×3 event and it won’t be their first time teaming up in such competition after representing the country in the 2019 Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup in Changsha, China last May.

“I’m wishing for it and it is my prayer always to win the gold. We’ve been frustrated many times especially in the last two SEA Games by Indonesia,” Bernie Atienza, deputy executive director of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum Tuesday at Amelie Hotel-Manila.

“This time around we’re ready and I’m hoping that we finally win it because we have the readiness and strength as per my assessment. We will win it this time,” added Atienza, who also serves as SEA Games 3×3 and basketball competition manager.

Gilas women head coach Patrick Aquino confirmed the team’s composition for both events.

The Philippines begins its gold medal campaign in the four-team event against Indonesia on Dec. 5 before facing Malaysia on Dec. 8 and finally Thailand on Dec. 10 at Mall of Asia Arena.

The team with the best record automatically bags the gold.