New Gilas recruits Ozar, Joson impressive

Louna Ozar is ready to take her game to another level.

Ozar caught the fancy of everyone when she became the top performer for the Philippine Women's Under-18 Asian Championship and she's now embracing the new challenge to compete for the two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.

Playing as a guard in the youth level, she's now being converted to play the No.3 spot with the Gilas women's team to allow her to play alongside Ella Fajardo, Janine Pontejos and Khate Castillo and share minutes with Camille Clarin and Afril Bernardino.

Another newcomer who's making her presence felt was Jhazmin Joson from Ateneo and her inclusion will certainly add depth to the backcourt of the Gilas women's squad that is preparing for the coming FIBA Women's Asia Cup which begins 26 June in Sydney, Australia.

Head coach Patrick Aquino was impressed with what he saw with Ozar and Joson since they joined Gilas more than a week ago.

"Louna and Jhazmin Joson  have been impressive in practice," wrote Aquino via Messenger.  "They're very aggressive and made known their intention that they are ready to take it to the next level."

"Of course, our veterans still lead the team with Jack (Animam), Afril and Janine guiding them."

In the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, the Filipinas are bracketed in Group B along with hist team Australia, Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Gilas begin their campaign on 26 June against Australia at 5:30 p.m. and then battle Japan on 27 June and Chinese Taipei  on 28 June, both of them at 11:30 a.m.