Bernardino, Castro, Pontejos lead Gilas Women SEA Games pool

FILE–Philippines celebrates after defeating Thailand to claim the gold medal during the women’s 5×5 basketball final at the 30th South East Asian Games 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

MANILA, Philippines–National team standouts lead Gilas Pilipinas Women’s pool for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam where the Filipinos will defend their title in May.

Leading the women’s pool released by Samahang Basketball Pilipinas Saturday are Afril Bernardino, Clare Castro and Janine Pontejos, who were part of the gold medal team in the 2019 SEA Games held here.

The three, along with Camille Clarin, also banner the women’s 3×3 squad for the delayed biennial meet.

Here are our national basketball teams for the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Laban, Gilas! 🇵🇭

Via SBP Website » https://t.co/8PFiBMqrJS pic.twitter.com/8F0HBSILBA

— SBP (@officialSBPinc) March 12, 2022

Also in the 16-man pool are Ella Fajardo  Khate Castillo, Chack Cabinbin, Andrea Tongco, Kristine Cayabyab,  Angel Surada, Gemma Miranda, Karl Ann Pingol, Katrina Guytingco, Monique Del Carmen, Mikka Cacho and Mai Loni Henson.

The women’s team is looking to extend its dominance in the region by winning both the 5×5 and 3×3 titles anew.

Jack Animam, a key figure in Gilas Women’s run in 2019, is not in the pool. She underwent surgery in January after suffering ACL and MCL injuries.

The Gilas Pilipinas men’s team also announced its pool Friday.