Duke star joins Gilas’ Aussie trip

Filipino-American guard Vanessa de Jesus will be on board when Gilas Pilipinas Women team flies to Sydney for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup set from 26 June to 2 July at the Sydney Olympic Park.

Gilas head coach Patrick Aquino admitted that De Jesus will no longer join their training in Manila due to school commitments.

She, however, will go straight to Australia from the United States to power the Gilas cagebelles in the prestigious continental tournament that serves as an acid test to their program.

In 2017, Gilas belles were able to crack the Division A of the tournament and they now want to maintain their status in the event that is considered as a top-level competition.

Hopes are high on Gilas with de Jesus on board.

Gilas will be bracketed alongside host Australia, Japan and Chinese Taipei in Group B.

"She can't leave now because of her school commitments, but I already secured a ticket for her going to Sydney," Aquino said.

Hopes are high on Gilas with De Jesus on board.

The 18-year-old playmaker, in fact, is coming off a solid season for Duke University after notching averages of 4.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists off the bench in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I.

She will join a Gilas side that fell short of defending its gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games bannered by mainstays Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino, Clare Castro, Janine Pontejos and Chak Cabinbin as well as young stars Ella Fajardo, Camille Clarin, Khate Castillo, and Stefanie Berberabe.

New players like incoming University of the Philippines player Louna Ozar and Ateneo de Manila University stalwart Jhazmin Joson are also expected to shore up their roster.

Ozar was one among the most consistent performers in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup under-18 tournament in India, averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and two assists per game, and expected to make an immediate impact once he joins her more experienced teammates in Gilas.