Aquino promises strong campaign

Gilas Pilipinas Women squad vows to come up with a strong performance when it competes in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup starting 26 June at the Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney, Australia.

Gilas head coach Patrick Aquino said they are determined to deliver an emphatic performance in the prestigious continental event in a bid to advance to the FIBA Women's World Cup.

"We've been in this division for quite some time so we're now at a stage where we really need to compete and find ourselves in a better position to win," Aquino told Daily Tribune in a conversation.

Less than a week since plucking the silver medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the national cagebelles returned to training in preparation for the Asia Cup.

Everybody showed up bannered by mainstays Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam, Clare Castro, Janine Pontejos, Chak Cabinbin, Andrea Tongco along with the youngsters Ella Fajardo, Stefanie Berberabe, Khate Castillo, Camille Clarin, Trina Guytingco and Angel Surada

Joining them were the new recruits in Louna Ozar and Jhazmin Joson while Duke University star Vanessa de Jesus is expected to arrive around the first and second week of June to play as naturalized player.

"I've already talked to her and she has already committed. She just needs to finish some of the school stuff," Aquino said, adding that de Jesus' inclusion will definitely boost their backcourt rotation.

Gilas will join host team Australia, Japan and Chinese Taipei in Group B.

The Filipinas begin their campaign on 26 June against Australia at 3:30 p.m. (Manila time) and then battle Japan on 27 June and Chinese Taipei on 28 June, both of them at 11:30 a.m.

"We're no longer at the stage where we will only participate and get clobbered by other teams," Aquino said.

"We want to be competitive and we want to be remembered as a team that finds ways to win."