by Waylon Galvez
The stage is set for the Gilas women’s 3×3 national team as it takes on Australia in the quarterfinal round of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Sunday in Changsha, China.
The team of coach Patrick Aquino split its matches in Pool C after losing its first game to Japan, 20-8, then rebounded with a 21-6 win over Sri Lanka last Friday.
The game is set at 12 noon (1 p.m. Manila Time).
“Will try our best to get the next stage. I know the odds are against us as we face Australia,” said Aquino. “But the girls won’t give up and we’ll fight to the last game whoever they are.”
“Remember this is also our first time to join the Asia Cup,” added Aquino.
The women’s team has collegiate standouts Jack Danielle Animam and Afril Bernardino of National University, Janine Pontejos of Centro Escuolar University and Clare Castro of Far Eastern University.
The women’s squad topped Pool A in the first round with wins against Chinese Taipei (16-13) and Samoa (21-1) last Wednesday, and versus Vanuatu (22-5) last Thursday.
Pontejos, the three-point champion in last year’s World Cup, said that they will be giving their best against Australia.
“We hope to do well in our next game,” said Pontejos.
