INAASAHAN ang pagkinang ng Gilas Pilipinas women’s team tulad ng kanilang men’s counterpart kung saan malaki ang tsansa nito na masungkit ang breakthrough gold sa 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Naniniwala si SEA Games 3×3 at basketball competition manager Bernie Atienza na hinog na ang Filipina cagebelles para mangibabaw laban sa perennial contenders Thailand, Indonesia, at Malaysia.
“I’m wishing for it and it is my prayer always to win the gold. We’ve been frustrated many times especially in the last two SEA Games by Indonesia,” pahagay ni Atienza sa weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum kahapon sa Amelie Hotel-Manila.
“This time around we’re ready and I’m hoping that we finally win it because we have the readiness and strength as per my assessment. We will win it this time,” dagdag ng deputy executive director ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Ang Gilas women’s team ay ginagabayan ni multi-titled Patrick Aquino at pangungunahan ni dating UAAP MVP Jack Animam.
Ayon kay Atienza, ‘di tulad sa men’s basketball kung saan walong koponan ang magbabakbakan, ang women’s field ay ginawa na lamang apat na teams.
“Those which doesn’t feel they have a chance (of competing), didn’t field in an entry anymore,” anang SBP official, na sinamahan ni FIBA-appointed technical delegate at SEABA secretary-general Agus Antares Mauro sa session na itinataguyod ng San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, at Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
Sisimulan ng mga Pinay ang kanilang kampanya sa Dec. 5 kontra Indonesia, na susundan ng duelo sa Malaysia sa Dec. 8, at Thailand sa Dec. 10.
Ang kumpetisyon ay isang one-round battle, kung saan ang team na may best record ang magiging gold medal winner.
“These are all important game. One miss, you die,” ani Atienza.
Kumpiyansa ang SBP official na ang Gilas Pilipinas ang muling tatanghaling gold medalist sa men’s side, subalit ang 3×3 men’s at women’s competitions ay magiging isang wide-open race.
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