Gilas Pilipinas Women will still go all out despite the absence of stars Jack Animam and Naomi Panganiban in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France.
Gilas coach Patrick Aquino told DAILY TRIBUNE that they are hardly bothered with the absence of Animam and Panganiban, who begged off in the prestigious qualifiers due to schedule conflict.
A regular fixture in the national squad, the 6-foot-5 Animam is currently with Denso Iris in the Women’s Japan Basketball League while Panganiban plays for San Diego State University in Division 1 of the US National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“First of all, Naomi is unavailable because she has a school competition. That tournament conflicts with this schedule, so she cannot join us,” said Aquino, whose wards are battling the host country at the Astroballe in Lyon at press time.
“I believe she (Animam) still has a league in Japan right now. That’s the only thing I know.”
Aside from the Filipinas, also vying for slots in the World Cup that will be held in Germany later this year are South Korea, Colombia, Afrobasket champion Nigeria and Germany, making it an uphill battle for the Philippines.
With Animam and Panganiban out, veterans Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos banner Gilas with the likes of Stefanie Berberabe, Trina Guytingco, Sarah Heyn, Louza Ozar, Sumayah Sugapong, Sophia Dignadice and Angel Surada.
Aquino, whose wards are coming off a gold-medal victory in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok last December, said they are doing their best to adapt to the cold French weather and jet lag as they vie for a spot in the World Cup.
He added that with some of the French players have competed in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), so they expect no less than a scrappy battle in their opening encounter.
France team captain Valériane Ayayi suited up for the San Antonio Stars in 2015 while Janelle Salaün is with the Golden State Valkyries and was part of the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2025.
“We’re trying to acclimatize as quickly as possible. We practiced twice today, and we’re doing everything we can to give the players background on the teams we’re facing – their strengths and weaknesses,” Aquino said.
“France has a very strong lineup, most of their players are from the WNBA, so it’s going to be a tough challenge. We’re just trying to prepare well so that we can compete at this level.”