Cagebelles determined to break spell

MANILA, Philippines — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has aired confidence on the vastly-improved Gilas women team delivering the country’s first gold medal in women’s basketball in the SEA Games. 

Unveiling the 12-strong line-up for the traditional 5-on-5 play yesterday, SBP president Al Panlilio declared the Nationals’ readiness after embarking on a year-long preparation here and abroad. 

“Led by coach Patrick Aquino, we’ve seen our Gilas Pilipinas women’s team improve by leaps and bounds both in 5-on-5 and 3x3. Our Filipina ballers have the talent and, more importantly, the dedication to their craft, which has led to our women’s program taking big steps forward,” he said as Gilas women maintained its No. 7 Asian and No. 50 World ranking this year. 

“Now, it’s time to target the SEA Games gold that has eluded us so far. The Filipinas have obliterated boundaries in different sporting events in the past few months and we’re confident that our Gilas squad can also achieve what was once impossible. Para sa Bayan!”

Unlike the all-PBA Philippine men’s squad, which is a heavy favorite to cop its 18th SEA Games gold medal, the Gilas women team is in for a gigantic task of ending a 42-year gold medal curse since women’s basketball has been included in the biennial meet back in 1977. 

In a bid to snap that spell with reigning champion Malaysia and runner-up Thailand on the way, the SBP has tapped national team mainstays Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos and Clare Castro to lead their charge.