Perlas Pilipinas defends crown in Jesse Robredo Memorial Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Discovery Perlas Pilipinas gets a chance to defend its crown in the 2nd Discovery Women’s Basketball Invitational from Aug 22-25 in Naga City.

The tournament, which is also dubbed the Jesse Robredo Memorial Cup in honor of the late Interior and Local Government secretary, will likewise serve as part of Perlas Pilipinas’ preparation for the FIBA Asia Women’s Basketball Championship in October.

“This will be a good exposure for the team before the FIBA Asia on October 27 and hopefully the SEA games,” Perlas Pilipinas’ assistant coach Gina Francisco told scribes in Wednesday’s press conference at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas.

“The team practices twice a day, six days a week. And in preparation for this tournament, we have played tune-up games against some UAAP B teams,” she added.

Also present during the presser were Perlas Pilipinas team manager Cynthia Tiu, league commissioner Noli Ayo, and Perlas Pilipinas players Joan Grajales and Melissa Jacob.

Tiu said the tournament also aims to pursue the country’s grassroots program for women’s basketball.

“A lot of people are asking why we are not holding it in Manila. It’s because our goal is to reach out to the grassroots program,” said Tiu.

"We’re grateful to Naga city and happy because Representative Leni Robredo is a gracious host to us. We hope we can draw more attention to the women’s basketball in the country,” she added.

The four-day tiff, which also involves squads from Singapore and Australia, will feature a single round robin elimination. The top two teams will then figure in a knockout championship game.

Perlas Pilipinas ruled the tournament’s first edition in Bacolod City last year.

 â€œWe are preparing for the FIBA Asia, and we want to know where we are right now in our preparation because we’ve been together for a long time already,” said Jacob, who plays power forward for the team.

Grajales, a guard, echoed her teammate’s statement.

“Excited kami for this tournament. After two years ngayon lang ulit kami makakalaro sa tournament so nag-prepare talaga kami,” said Grajales.