Gilas Pilipinas looking at the bigger picture

THE GILAS Pilipinas women’s basketball team remains positive despite dropping all of its five matches in the 2019 Women’s Jones Cup in New Taipei City in Taiwan recently.

National team head coach Patrick Aquino said they opt to look at the bigger picture as they prepare for forthcoming international competitions, including the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. 

The Gilas Pilipinas had very little time to train ahead of its Jones Cup debut. The team lost to New Zealand, Japan, Chinese-Taipei A, South Korea and Chinese-Taipei B.


“We did not win a game in the Jones Cup but the fact that we were there for the first time meant we gained experience,” said Aquino during his appearance at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Amelie Hotel Manila.


“We had a tough time because it was the first time for our players, including the Fil-Americans, to play together. It was a short tournament. Our players had a tough time communicating inside the court,” he added.


Aquino, a five-time champion with National University in the UAAP women’s basketball tournaments. said he watched his team compete in the Jones Cup knowing there was so much to improve on.


“We did not have the chemistry and the fluidity. The talent was there. It’s just that the other teams had chemistry,” Aquino said. “We will be a much better team heading to the SEA Games. I hope we can deliver.”


The Philippine squad is bound to compete in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Bangalore, India from Sept. 22 to 29. Then, next in line is the 30th SEA Games which the Philippines is hosting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
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Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo seeks revenge when it faces regional rival Ceres-Negros FC in the 2019 Philippines Football League tonight at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas.
The match is slated at 7 p.m.

Kaya-Iloilo hopes to regain the solo edge in the standings. It is currently tied with defending champions Ceres-Negros on top with 22 points each.


The Ilonggos failed to capitalized on an early advantage when it battled Ceres-Negros on July 10 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite to suffer a 2-1 defeat.


Since then, however, the Noel Marcaida-mentored Kaya Iloilo tallied back-to-back victories, including a 5-0 domination over Mendiola FC 1991 a week ago to regain a share of top spot.


“We will be working on how to manage Ceres’ comfort on the ball. We need to manage the discipline and shape when we don’t have the ball,” Marcaida said. “If you give them enough space, they will really operate and create chances.”


Ceres-Negros, on the other hand, will be entering the match as the fresher team coming from over a week of break. Its last match was still on July 22 — a 2-0 win over Green Archers United FC./PN

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