The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) remains optimistic that Gilas Pilipinas Women will still be able to make a deep run despite matching to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup with a depleted roster.

SBP executive director Erika Dy said that the national squad will be playing its heart out despite missing the services of veterans Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Andrea Tongco and Chack Cabinbin in the prestigious continental meet that will be held in Shenzhen, China.

Bernardino and Pontejos failed to secure the green light to leave their military training for China while Tongco and Cabinbin didn’t make the cut for the final roster, dealing a major blow to the Filipinas who are looking to bounce back from a forgettable campaign in the 44th William Jones Cup last week.

“There’s a current order from their military superiors that they will stay here if the practices and games are held in China or any territory of China,” Dy said at the sidelines of the general assembly organized by the Philippine Sports Commission last Tuesday.