Vanessa De Jesus, veteran core banner Gilas 12 for Women's Asia Cup
Gilas Pilipinas women’s team prized addition Vanessa De Jesus and a veteran core of Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos bannered the national team’s final roster for the FIBA women’s Asia Cup set to fire off on June 26 in Sydney, Australia.
*(From left) Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Vanessa De Jesus and Jack Animam banner Gilas 12 (FIBA and Duke Athletics photo)*
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced the roster on Wednesday, June 21, with women’s national team head coach Pat Aquino revealing a lineup which boasts a perfect blend of veteran smarts and young bloods. Ateneo's Jhaz Joson and UP commit Louna Ozar were the new guns for Gilas, joining national team mainstays Angel Surada, Khate Castillo, Camille Clarin, Ella Fajardo, Chack Cabinbin, and Mikka Cacho to complete the team. Gilas is wrapping up its preparation in Melbourne for the regional tiff which dangles four qualifying spots for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany. Things are looking good so far for the charges of Aquino after coming away with a dominant 93-72 victory over NBL1 team Keilor Thunder on Tuesday. Gilas is set for another tuneup game against another NBL1 team Casey Cavaliers on Thursday before moving to Sydney. Gilas, however, is still facing a daunting task as it takes on host and world No. 3 Australia on the opening day before taking on defending champion and ranked No. 9 Japan. Gilas then wraps up its preliminary schedule with a clash against emerging power Chinese Taipei. The Nationals hope to finish within the top 3 spot of the groups to advance to the knockout rounds.
*(From left) Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Vanessa De Jesus and Jack Animam banner Gilas 12 (FIBA and Duke Athletics photo)*
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced the roster on Wednesday, June 21, with women’s national team head coach Pat Aquino revealing a lineup which boasts a perfect blend of veteran smarts and young bloods. Ateneo's Jhaz Joson and UP commit Louna Ozar were the new guns for Gilas, joining national team mainstays Angel Surada, Khate Castillo, Camille Clarin, Ella Fajardo, Chack Cabinbin, and Mikka Cacho to complete the team. Gilas is wrapping up its preparation in Melbourne for the regional tiff which dangles four qualifying spots for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany. Things are looking good so far for the charges of Aquino after coming away with a dominant 93-72 victory over NBL1 team Keilor Thunder on Tuesday. Gilas is set for another tuneup game against another NBL1 team Casey Cavaliers on Thursday before moving to Sydney. Gilas, however, is still facing a daunting task as it takes on host and world No. 3 Australia on the opening day before taking on defending champion and ranked No. 9 Japan. Gilas then wraps up its preliminary schedule with a clash against emerging power Chinese Taipei. The Nationals hope to finish within the top 3 spot of the groups to advance to the knockout rounds.