Gilas women step up training with tuneup vs US NCAA squad
Gilas Pilipinas women are deep in preparation for the Fiba Women’s Asia Cup. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Hoping to further fine-tune its game for a tournament where it faces tall odds, Gilas Pilipinas Women takes on an NCAA squad just before it leaves for the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) Women’s Asia Cup this weekend.
The Nationals are hosting Azusa Pacific University, a Division II squad based in California, 10 a.m. at Aero Gym in Quezon City this Wednesday, national coach Pat Aquino told the Inquirer.
There, the seasoned mentor hopes to find gaps in his charges’ play just before they head for Melbourne, Australia, this Saturday.
Gilas Women is set to figure in a steep trek in the continental showcase as it is bunched with World No. 3 Australia, six-time champion Japan and Chinese-Taipei.
The Nationals have figured in multiple tuneup games thus far, among them a bruising blowout at the hands of Adamson’s high school squad, which program fixture Jack Danielle Animam feels taught Gilas a lot about itself.
Animam is set to banner the squad that will likely feature US-based standouts Ella Fajardo and Stefanie Berberabe.
Blue Devils arriving
Duke Blue Devils playmaker Vanessa de Jesus.
Duke Blue Devils playmaker Vanessa de Jesus, as the Inquirer reported nearly a month ago, will be Gilas’ naturalized player for the showcase that will dangle four spots to the Qualifying Tournaments for the Paris Summer Olympic Games.
Julie Amos, another veteran mentor who is serving as Aquino’s deputy, said that Gilas has more friendlies lined up in Melbourne.
De Jesus, who obtained her Philippine passport just last month, will be flying straight to Melbourne and join the buildup before the delegation heads for Sydney.
“[We’ll] have time to work on her adjustment since we will have camp or games before going to Sydney,” Amos shared.
Aquino hopes that De Jesus’ being a part of an elite basketball program would grease her transition into the Gilas pool, which has been training since May 22.
Gilas battles the hosts on June 26, 5:30 p.m. (Manila time), then the Japanese on Tuesday before rounding out its Group B campaign against the Taiwanese on Wednesday.
