More belles keen on donning national jersey

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women did not waste time revving up for the future following a massive success of its open try-out over the weekend. 

Led by program director and coach Pat Aquino, the national team attracted 170 participants in the training camp held at the NU school gym in Manila. 

Aquino admitted being shocked by the turnout of interested Filipina ballers and being impressed by some of the aspirants that would only help the national team grow even bigger after a banner campaign in 2019. 

“It was amazing. I’m just happy that there’s a lot of girls getting interested to play basketball,” Aquino told The STAR. 

“There are tall, lanky players with good moves already. There are a least 10 players with an average height of 5-foot-10 so this try-out is really a good outcome,” he added, citing  14-year-old Camille Nolasco from Miriam College who stood out in the camp. 

With this first step in Gilas women’s talent search, Aquino said there’s more to come with scheduled weekly try-outs for the rest of the month. 

An out-of-town and out-of-country camps are also in the works with Aquino and the rest of the Gilas coaching staff flying to Cebu City on Jan. 25 and in LA, California next month for possible Fil-Foreign prospects.

All of these efforts of the Philippine women’s team are just part of the bigger roadmap Aquino and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) are envisioning to remain competitive with world counterparts for this year and beyond.