We just kept in mind that we should win it this time because the country is watching.

THE Gilas Pilipinas women’s team shows that girls can also shoot – and emerge on top.

Gilas Pilipinas women’s team proved that basketball is not for men alone.

And they also proved that they could win a gold medal as well.

The national basketbelles made history when they emerged with a gold medal in the recent 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last week at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Danica Jose said they have been waiting for this moment and invested blood, sweat and tears to make it happen.

“We have been waiting for this,” said Jose, the former Ateneo de Manila University star and daughter of former Ginebra enforcer Bobby Jose.

“Since 2015, we are always trying hard to land on the podium but we always fall short.”

It was the country’s first-ever gold medal since joining the biennial meet in 1977. And it was only fitting to win it in front of their friends, families and countrymen.

“It’s overwhelming because we won the gold in front of the Filipinos whom we know were also longing for that gold medal,” Jose said.

“We just kept in mind that we should win it this time because the country is watching.”

Nobody thought that the Nationals would go that far.

Since head coach Patrick Aquino took over in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, the Nationals have been trying so hard to barge into the medal podium, but something always comes up — from ugly calls to bad decisions and endgame meltdowns.

But with the country hosting the biennial meet, Aquino concocted a perfect brew of youth and experience.

He tapped his former age-group player in Jose together with his wards at National University in Jack Animam as well as veterans Clare Castro and Janine Pontejos.

For good measure, he added former University of California Los Angeles standout Kelli Hayes together with other young guns like Ria Nabalan and Afril Bernardo to form a powerhouse roster.

“Each of us compliments what others can’t provide. I think that’s the beauty of this team,” said the 25-year-old Jose, who has been campaigning in various international tournaments since her high school days at Miriam College.

“We, the seniors, provide the maturity and leadership for the team while the younger players provide fresh talents and youthful aggressiveness.”

Jose said their bond is not just limited inside the court.

“I think that sets us apart from other teams,” she said.

“We really care for each other as if we are a family.”

Jose added that they marched to battle with only one goal: To end their long drought.

“We just had to implement what we have been preparing for in the SEA Games, especially since we are the hosts,” Jose said.

“We have one goal and we have one mindset and we thought that this is the perfect time to achieve all of those.”

She said their quest for greatness doesn’t end with a gold medal hanging on their necks.

And instead of resting and getting complacent, the win should spark their chase for higher glory.

“We wish that this achievement can translate to wins in other prestigious international tournaments,” Jose said.

“We hope that the support will be continuous and we will do our part by giving pride to the Filipinos.”