PERLAS Pilipinas is banking on the core of the team that overachieved in the 2015 FIBA-Asia Championship when it seeks the gold in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association women’s championship in Melacca, Malaysia.
Led by new team captain Ryzza Palmera-Dy, the Filipina cagebelles are going to the Sept. 20 to 26 meet with their confidence on a new high following their surprising promotion in Level 1 of the FIBA-Asia women’s tilt a year ago.
Palmera-Dy was with coach Patrick Aquino and newly promoted national team member Jack Daniels Animam in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate on Tuesday and talked about their chances of regaining the basketball gold the country last won in 2013.
“Medyo maganda ang pinakita natin sa FIBA-Asia, so we’re hoping to get the gold in the SEABA in preparation na rin for the Southeast Asian Games in 2017,” said Aquino in the weekly forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Shakey’s, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Unfortunately, the team – backed by Ever Bilena – will be leaving Sunday without veteran and former team captain Ewon Arayi, who was down with dengue two weeks ago, along with Gemma Miranda, Chovi Borja, and Sofia Roman.
The slots of the last three will be fielded in by Chack Cabinbin, Ara Abaca, and Janine Pontejos.
“Malaki ang chance namin na manalo dahil ‘yung core na naglaro sa FIBA Asia is almost the same, although sadly our captain ball si Ewon (Arayi) nagkasakit,” said Palmera-Dy.
“It will be very tough, may mga adjustments kaming ginagawa dahil may mga nawala sa amin,” said Animam for her part. “But it’s also a good opportunity for us to jibe with the new players.
Aquino said region powerhouse Thailand is still the team to beat in the seven-day tournament.
“Thailand pa rin,” he said about the likely team that stands in the way of Perlas Pilipinas in winning the gold.
Aquino, who also happens to be the head coach of the multi-titled National University women’s team, had the chance to scout the Thais in the recent Asean University meet, where the Lady Bulldogs finished runner-up behind Thailand.
“Nagulat nga ako dahil Thailand brought its national team. Hindi naman exactly ‘yung buong team nila, but the core was there,” said Aquino, who also get to watch the teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia.
“I heard Indonesia will be sending a club team sa SEABA. I don’t know exactly if the same will be for Laos and Vietnam,” he added.
Perlas Pilipinas didn’t have the opportunity to train outside the country as part of its preparation, but managed to hold exhibition games against the men’s team of Arellano, Far Eastern University, among others.
Aquino stressed even if it fails to win the SEABA gold, the country’s ranking in the FIBA Asia will still remain.
“Hindi ‘yun magbabago. We’ll remain at Level 1,” he said.
