De Jesus thrilled to make Gilas return

Vanessa de Jesus is pumped up to join Gilas Pilipinas Women when they see action in the 44th William Jones Cup in Taiwan from 1 to 6 July and the FIBA Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China from 13 to 20 July.

De Jesus, a heady Filipino-American playmaker, said she is ready to make her return to the national team for the first time since representing the country 2023.

“Just super excited to represent the Philippines and just get back out there with the team and hopefully get us to the World Cup,” said the 23-year-old de Jesus, who suited up for University of Notre Dame last April after playing for Duke University for five years.

“I think now is the time to really show it and not wait for the future. So, for me, it’s coming in with that mentality of the present and being ready to compete now and helping us win now.”

De Jesus’ inclusion is a big boost to the squad as veterans Afril Bernardino, Andrea Tongco, Janine Pontejos and Chack Cabinbin have yet to be cleared from military service.

With that, she will be joining the likes of Ella Fajardo, Jack Animam, Naomi Panganiban and Kent Pastrana as the Philippines guns for a top-six finish to enter the qualifiers for the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Gilas Women will be going up against Australia, Japan and Lebanon in Group B of the Asia Cup and De Jesus believes the key to making a deep run is to focus on the game at hand.

“It starts one game at a time. So, for me, it’s playing Australia first, then Japan and Lebanon. Then seeing where that leads after that,” said De Jesus, who averaged 12.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the 2023 Women’s Asia Cup in Australia where the Philippines finished in sixth place to stay in Division A.

“But I think we have a great team. And to be able to make history and represent the Philippines is huge for me. So, if we can get these first couple of games and hopefully qualify for the pre-qualifiers to get into the World Cup.”

De Jesus also hopes their Jones Cup stint, where the Philippines will take on the Taiwanese, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and another Taiwanese team, will give her a chance to catch up and build chemistry with her teammates.

“I think we have the group. If we just lock in, buy in together and understand putting in the work and just being really focused on giving it our all, I think that will help us win,” De Jesus said.

“A lot personally on the basketball court, it’s kind of taught me to take advantage of the moment and giving it your all.”