Gilas Women’s 3×3 run an ‘eye opener,’ says Sam Harada

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 team may not have gotten the the best result in its Europe stop in the Fiba 3×3 Women’s Series, but Sam Harada is keeping a positive outlook.

While it may have been hard to absorb the last losses, the 3×3 squad is still grateful for the “eye-opening” experience and will be carrying it in their next stops said Harada.

“Our experience there was an eye-opener because the competitions that we faced were really all world-class,” said Harada in Filipino.

READ: SEA Games 2023: Gilas Pilipinas Women settle for silver in 3×3 basketball

“Even if we did not get the results that we wanted, we know that we will just keep on improving.”

The Philippines failed to advance in the group stages of their forays in Clermont-Ferrand and Orleans, France.

The Gilas squad had silver linings, though, as it reached the quarterfinals in its Ulaanbataar stop of the series.

“We have to improve on a lot of things, from individual skills, strength, discipline and patience for the system that we’re running. As Pinoys, we’re small so we need to learn how to fight with taller teams.”

Harada played with Kaye Pingol, Hazelle Yam, and Allana Lim in those first three stops while they were backed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Uratex Dream.

Lim, though, will be replaced by Angel Surada in the Wuhan iteration of the series but it poses no problems for the squad, according to Harada.

“The good thing is, we have chemistry and we’re getting exposed to these kinds of competition,” explained Harada.

“We won’t quit and we will show how Filipinos play beautiful basketball.”