The stint of Gilas Pilipinas Women in the 44th William Jones Cup starting on Wednesday at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium will serve as a yardstick for the team’s readiness for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China from 13 to 20 July.

Veterans bigs Jack Animam and Khate Castillo are expected to banner Gilas Women’s squad in this year’s Jones Cup against home squad Chinese Taipei and Japan.

“Most players on the team are really young. They’re really gritty and excited about the teams going in,” head coach Pat Aquino said.

“We gotta get some young legs to build experience and this is the right avenue for them. This is a good tournament for us and with Jack as the leader and Khate Castillo being there, I think we will be in good hands.”

With young stars like Ella Fajardo, Naomi Panganiban and Vanessa de Jesus leading the helm, Gilas Women will have to absorb every ounce of experience they can get in the Jones Cup.

Apart from the Chinese Taipei and the Japanese, the Philippines will take on Thailand, South Korea, and another Taiwanese team in WUG CTUSF Training.

Aquino is still holding out hope that veterans Afril Bernardino, Andrea Tongco, Janine Pontejos and Chack Cabinbin will be cleared from military service to join them in China for the Asia Cup.

“We’re still hoping they will join us. We still have one more week,” Aquino said.

“After the Jones Cup, who knows? We’re just praying and hoping they can be permitted to come with us.”