Gilas Women lose Castro

Gilas Pilipinas Women squad would be marching with a crippled roster when it sees action in the William Jones Cup and the 19th Asian Games.

Gilas team manager Michael Lim said Clare Castro had already begged off from joining their training as she needs to work to support her family.

"Clare has to stop training because she needs to work to support her family," said Lim, referring to the 6-foot-5 Castro who also skipped the FIBA Women's Asia Cup due to personal reason.

Castro's absence is a major blow to the national cagebelles.

Aside from being one of the tallest players in the squad, she is also overflowing with international experience after winning three gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.

She last played for Gilas in the 32nd biennial meet but they fell short of winning the title.

The absence of Castro is expected to create a huge void for the Gilas girls as Filipino-Americans Vanessa de Jesus and Ella Fajardo also begged off.

De Jesus, who saw action in the recent continental tourney as a naturalized player, will be returning to Duke University while Fajardo will focus on her residency with Iona University, keeping her out of the Jones Cup on 5 August and the Asian Games set from 23 September to 8 October.

Gilas coach Patrick Aquino added that he also doubts the availability of their collegiate players like Louna Ozar, Jhazmin Joson and Mika Cacho due to their commitments with their respective schools.