Perlas opens SEABA bid vs Singapore

MANILA, Philippines - Perlas Pilipinas kicks off its SEABA Women’s Championship campaign today, upbeat of its chances against Singapore in Malacca, Malaysia. 

Also set to see action is Thailand, which battles Indonesia at 5 p.m. while Malaysia and Vietnam collide at 8 p.m. after the 7 p.m. opening rites.

The event serves as the first tournament for the Perlas five since making it to Level I of the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship last year.

But the Filipina cagebelles will be without veteran member Ewon Arayi, who was still recuperating after a bout with dengue.

“I can play but my doctor advised me to take some rest,” said Arayi, an enlisted personnel of the Philippine Navy.

Perlas is handled by head coach Patrick Aquino, who is expected to bank on National U stalwarts Afril Bernardino and Jack Animam. Bernardino is a former UAAP MVP while Animam is NU’s starting center.