MANILA, Philippines – It is down to serious business for the Philippine women’s basketball team after it wrapped up its first stint in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup on Saturday, June 10. 

National team tryouts for local players and the recruitment of Filipino-foreigners starting August 2018 headline the plans lined up for Perlas Pilipinas, head coach Patrick Aquino said, noting he’s already in talks with team manager Dioceldo Sy. 

“[Sy said] we’ll start August, preparing for next year’s SEA Games, FIBA Asia, and if there’s SEABA. At least one year in preparation,” said Aquino. 

“Probably this coming August, we’ll have tryouts again, we’ll invite players to come in, and probably also I’m expecting Fil-Ams to come over also.” 

Although the team finished winless in the 3-a-side tournament, the 4-time UAAP women’s basketball champion coach thinks Perlas Pilipinas made quite an impression as Jack Danielle Animam, Afril Bernardino, Gemma Miranda and Janine Pontejos showed they could put up a fight against some of the world’s best.

Aquino still has his fingers crossed that his team’s gallant effort in the 3×3 could pave the way for their inclusion in the 2018 Asian Games. 

“We’re hoping na baka mapansin kami ngayon, and there’s still a chance, baka ihabol kami sa Asian Games. You never know. Sabi nga, eye opener, maybe tomorrow there will be a call from SBP, ‘O isama na natin ‘yung 3×3 women’s,‘” said Aquino. 

(We’re hoping that we get noticed, and there’s still a chance that we get a surprise call-up to the Asian Games. You never know. People are saying that it was an eye opener, maybe tomorrow there will be a call from SBP that we should include members of the women’s 3×3.) – Rappler.com