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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Ava Fajardo leads PH girls in SEABA Qualifiers

Ava Fajardo leads PH girls in SEABA Qualifiers

Published May 21, 2024 09:11 am

At A Glance

  • Gilas Pilipinas standout Ava Fajardo leads a mix of local and Fil-foreign players who will plunge into action in the U18 Women's Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers slated May 24 to 26 at Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Thailand.

Gilas Pilipinas standout Ava Fajardo leads a mix of local and Fil-foreign players who will plunge into action in the U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers slated May 24 to 26 at Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Thailand.

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Gilas Pilipinas U18 team

Longtime Gilas Women head coach Patrick Aquino and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy have high hopes for the Filipina dribblers as they try to land a spot in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China set next month.

“Mix of Fil-Am and local talents ang nasa lineup ngayon, and we’re trying to build the grassroot program by having more locals this time around,” Aquino said in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

“It’s a good group you see now, and probably the future of women’s basketball,” he added.

Playing for another U18 stint, the 16-year-old Fajardo, younger sister of national team member Ella, will try to make a name for herself as she embraced the leadership role for the team.

“I’m grateful I have ate (Ella Fajardo) like that. I’m super grateful to have these opportunities and to have my own opportunities to show how I play basketball,” said Fajardo.

The three-day long cagefest will feature the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and powerhouse Thailand. The Pinay cagers will battle the host nation on May 24.

Though Malaysians and Indonesians have already booked their tickets to Division A of the tournament, the Nationals will still face both of their neighbors on May 25 and 26, respectively.

Fajardo competes with fellow Gilas holdovers Sophia Anne Canindo, Aubrey Lapasaran, and Naomi Panganiban along with new members in Margaret Villanueva, Alyssa Rodriguez, Gabby Ramos, Jolzyne Impresso, Ashley Abong, Venice Quinte, Margarette Duenas and Tiffany Reyes, daughter of former PBA player Jay-R. Julie Amos will serve as the head coach.

In the Division A tournament in Sydney, Australia last year, the Philippines finished sixth place while China beat Japan in the finals, 73-71, to rule the continental showpiece.

Related Tags

Gilas Pilipinas U18 FIBA
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