Gilas Women heading Down Under?

Gilas Women are looking to have tune up games against Australian teams to prepare for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup from 13 to 20 July.

Head coach Pat Aquino told DAILY TRIBUNE they are hoping to play against four squads Down Under with some of them coming from the National Basketball League 1 (NBL 1).

This year’s FIBA Women’s Asia Cup will be in Shenzhen, China as the Philippines look to retain its place in Division A.

“It’s an open invitation to the national team. There’s an NBL 1 team in Melbourne who is inviting us to have your training camp or have a practice tournament or practice games with the NBL 1 teams in Australia,” Aquino said.

“They are open and willing to help us accommodate us in coming to Australia. So, it’s a good opportunity for us.”

Australia will be familiar territory for the Philippines after competing in the 2023 Women’s Asia Cup in Sydney where it finished in sixth place to remain in Division A.

Also Gilas Women star Jack Animam, who is currently playing for FCC UAV Arad in Romania, suited up for the Ringwood Hawks in the NBL 1 last year.

Aquino said this plan has yet to be approved by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“I have to tell our executive director Erica Dy to consider all those options. Hopefully, we can do as much as we can to prepare well for the FIBA Asia games,” Aquino said.

“It’s just a good opportunity that was given to me as an option. So, I have to grab it at times. But again, you need a little funding with that, so that’s our only problem.”