Veterans Jack Animam and Afril Bernardino are tasked to lead Gilas Pilipinas Women when the nationals compete in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup set on June 26 in Sydney, Australia.

Joining the two are six other holdovers from the squad that finished silver in the 2023 SEA Games last month in Khate Castillo, Janine Pontejos, Camille Clarin, Ella Fajardo, Angel Surada, and Chack Cabinbin.

Completing the 12-player lineup is the debuting Vanessa de Jesus alongside Jhazmin Joson, Louna Ozor, and Mikka Cacho, who suited up for the 3×3 national team in the biennial meet in Cambodia, with seasoned tactician Patrick Aquino still at the helm.

The Filipina ballers are in Group B where they will first face host Australia on the 26th before taking on Japan and Chinese Taipei on June 27 and 28, respectively.

The Philippines finished seventh overall in the 2021 edition of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News