WNBA-bound Filipina open to play for Gilas women
MANILA, Philippines – The Gilas Pilipinas women's program received another shot in the arm for its growing talent pool after WNBA-bound Chanelle Molina expressed her willingness to don the national team colors.
Molina, a second-generation immigrant born in Hawaii's big island of Hilo with roots in Ilocos Norte and Quezon City, told Fil-Am Nation Select on Monday (early Tuesday, Manila time) that representing Gilas is a possibility.
"I get asked this question a lot, you know if I will ever play for the Philippines, and when the time's right I feel like I want to represent my country," she said during a live Instagram interview.
A product of Washington State's women's basketball program, Molina recently inked a training camp contract with the WNBA's Indiana Fever — a crucial chance for her to land a deal with the 2012 WNBA champions.
She went undrafted out of college in 2020 before making her pro debut in Sweden with the Norrkoping Dolphins.
With her US NCAA Division I, overseas stint, and hopefully WNBA experience, Molina's inclusion to the national team will surely be a sight to behold.
The national team prospect is at pace to create history for Filipina basketball players, with a chance to become the first Pinay in the WNBA if she inks a deal with the Fever in the upcoming season.
The Kailua Kona-born hooper hopes to open the doors for her fellow Filipina players.
"I'm representing the Filipino community, and all those inspiring to play basketball," said Molina.
"I get a lot of DMs from little girls... they're always like 'you're my idol, representing Filipino'. It's bigger than basketball for sure," she continued.
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