Gilas women ready for action

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women’s team is determined to spring some surprises in Group B of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup preliminaries starting Monday in Amman, Jordan.

The Nationals, scheduled to leave last night, will undergo a mandatory three-day quarantine upon arrival in Amman before doing final preparations for the tourney set Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

They face tough tasks against Olympic teams Australia and China as well as Chinese Taipei in Group B. Reigning champion Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and India are in Group A.

Gilas takes on China, Australia and Chinese Taipei on Sept. 27, 28 and 29, respectively, in the group phase action, needing to make the top three to advance to the next round.

The top teams from each group will gain a direct ticket to the semifinals with the second and third placers figuring in crossover duels for the remaining Final Four seats. The last placers in both groups will be relegated to a classification match.

US NCAA guard Ella Fajardo with veterans Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos banner the Gilas squad marking its return from a long hiatus since last playing in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.