Gilas Women 3x3 team withdraws from Asian Games 2023

The Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 squad has decided to withdraw from the 19th Asian Games as its appeal for inclusion of two replacement players was denied by the organizers.

The squad only has two players in Camille Nolasco and Louna Ozar while late additions Cielo Pagdulagan and Marga Villanueva were not cleared by Asiad organizing committee. The two were supposed to replace 3x3 veterans Camille Clarin and Angel Surada in the roster.

The decision came on Monday, just hours before the women's 3x3 team was set to take on Jordan in Pool C later at 7:25 p.m.

Head coach Patrick Aquino rued the missed opportunity for his wards, who were supposed to play in the Asian Games 2023 for the first time in their young careers.

"Just so sad dahil first time kami (3x3) dito and then ganito nga ang nangyari," said the multi-titled coach," Aquino said.

("Just so sad because it's the first time for us here and then this is what happened.")

This leaves the Gilas Men 3x3 bannering the country in the three-a-side tournament. Earlier, they defeated Jordan with a dominant 13-8 victory.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News