Jack Animam returns to bolster Gilas Women in Cambodia SEA Games

FILE –Gilas Pilipinas Women player Jack Animam. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Jack Danielle Animam will spearhead the Gilas Pilipinas Women pool for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Animam is back to help the Philippines re-assert its dominance in the sport on the women’s side with coach Pat Aquino, the architect of the longest winning streak in the UAAP women’s basketball history, at the helm anew.

Animam missed the Hanoi SEA Games last year after suffering an ACL injury in her left knee. She had surgery in January 2022.

Joining Aminam in the pool released by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Saturday are familiar names in UAAP Season 85 MVP Finals MVP Kristine Cayabyab, Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, Clare Castro, France Mae Cabinbin, Ana Alicia Katrina Castillo, Camille Izabel Clarin, Monique Allison Del Carmen, Ella Patrice Fajardo, Katrina Guytingco, Marizze Andrea Tongco, Janine Pontejos, Angelica Marie Surada, Mai Loni Lashae’ Henson and  Karl Ann Pingol.

Also in the roster that was submitted to the Philippine Olympic Committee are Aurea Day Marie Gingras, Kristan Geyl Yumul, Kennan Elizabeth Ka, Katelyn Bobadilla, Sofia Isabella Roman and Jhazmin Joson, Stefanie Ann Berberabe,  Quinn Kacey Dela Rosa, and Louna Ozar.

The Gilas Women are gunning for a third-straight title in the biennial meet after winning the gold in 2019 during the Philippines’ hosting of the SEA Games.

Aquino and the rest of his girls repeated last year in Vietnam to go back-to-back on the podium in the same year that the men’s team ended its reign.

A three-peat would put the Philippines within reach of second-running Thailand with five gold medals behind perennial champion Malaysia, way ahead with 13 golds in women’s volleyball.

Aquino and the coaching staff will have a month to decide on the final line up before flying to Phnom Penh this May.