Gilas women drawn with China, Australia, Chinese Taipei; WNBL vows support for national team

The Gilas Pilipinas women's national basketball team is set for tough competition in the upcoming FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Jordan.

The national women's basketball team will be pooled with world no. 3 Australia, no. 7 China, and no. 34 Chinese Taipei in the group phase of the tournament's Division A.

According to reports, the women's training pool is composed of Afril Bernardino, Claire Castro, Ria Nabalan, Janine Pontejos, Ella Fajardo, Chack Cabinbin, Khate Castillo, Mar Prado, Snow Penaranda, Andrea Tongco, Ann Pingol, Kristine Cayabyab, and Camille Clarin.

The Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), meanwhile, vowed for all-out support in the national team's campaign.

Three WNBL players, namely Penaranda, Castro, and Castillo, were chosen to be part of the training pool.

"The entire WNBL Pilipinas family is so proud to have Snow Penaranda, Clare Castro, and Khate Castillo as part of the team that will represent the Philippines at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup next month,” WNBL executive vice president Rhose Montreal said.

“On a personal level, I couldn’t be more excited to see our talented lady ballers to show what the Filipina is all about. Coming off Hidilyn Diaz’s 'herstoric' moment at the Tokyo Olympics," she added.

"I am hoping and praying that the ladies will have a successful showing at the FIBA Asia Cup. Laban Pilipinas!”

The WNBL is currently on hold with the government's implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ in several parts of Luzon.

The FIBA Asia Women's Cup is scheduled for September 27 to October 3 in Ammad, Jordan.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News