By MARK REY MONTEJO
Exciting guard Ava Fajardo banners Gilas Pilipinas squad that is in a must-win situation against host Thailand in the opener of the U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers on Friday, May 24, at Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Thailand.
Expect no quarter to be given in their 6 p.m. game (Manila time) with the Thais as the winner will qualify to the FIBA U18Women’s Asia Cup Division B next month in Shenzhen, China
That’s because the two other participating teams in Malaysia and Indonesia have already qualified to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division A.
The team will leave on Wednesday.
Other members of the team that will be handled by Julie Amos are Sophia Anne Canindo, Aubrey Lapasaran, and Naomi Panganiban with new members in Margaret Villanueva, Alyssa Rodriguez, Gabby Ramos, Jolzyne Impresso,
Ashley Abong, Venice Quinte, Margarette Duenas and Tiffany Reyes.
Reyes is daughter of former PBA player Jay-R.
“Mixed of Fil-Am and local talents ang nasa lineup ngayon, and we’re trying to build the grass roots program by having more locals this time around,” said women’s head coach Pat Aquino who accompanied the team in Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines.
The Philippines finished sixth in last year’s Asian event in Sydney, Australia where China beat Japan, 73-71, to rule the continental showpiece.
