By JONAS TERRADO
THERE’S no room for Gilas Pilipinas to make a small error as it begins the quest to win the elusive gold against Indonesia in women’s basketball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Pinay cagers open the single-round competition at 6 p.m. with coach Pat Aquino hoping to see her team beat the Indonesian squad that took home the bronze medal two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.
Aquino is hoping that homecourt advantage will benefit Gilas Women as it aims to win all three matches in the competition.
Only four teams participated in the women’s side with Malaysia eager to defend its crown and Thailand seeking its first gold since the 2013 Games in Nay Pyi Taw.
“We hope na makuha natin yung elusive gold na yun. We’ll just take it one game at a time,” said Aquino.
Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos and Clare Castro are expected to enter the tourney in good form after steering the Philippines to gold in the women’s 3×3 event last Monday at The Arena in San Juan.
Other members of the team are Ria Nabalan, Chack Cabinbin, Khate Castillo, Kelli Hayes, Gemma Miranda, Eunique Chan and Danica Jose.
Action in the distaff side began at presstime with Malaysia facing Thailand at the same venue.
FOOTBALL SEMIS
The Philippines tries to score an semifinal upset over defending champion Vietnam and secure a historic place in the women’s football at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.
The odds are stacked against the Malditas in the 8 p.m. kickoff as they take on a Vietnamese side that has won all six matches against the Philippines by a combined score of 31-1 in the biennial meet since the inaugural women’s football tilt in 1985.
Coach Let Dimzon, however, believes her team can put up a fight against Vietnam, which topped Group B.
Dimzon will bank on striker Sarina Bolden, who scored a hat trick in the Malditas’ 5-0 thrashing of Malaysia last Friday.
Also key are Shai del Campo, Sara Castaneda, Cam Rodriguez and goalkeeper Inna Palacios.
Vietnam will be led by Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, Nguyen Thi Van and Nhu Huynh, who had two goals each in last week’s 6-0 beating of Indonesia.
Thailand and Group A winner Myanmar face off in the other semifinal match also set 8 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The bronze medal and gold medal matches are slated Sunday at the Rizal pitch.
