Gabriella Ramos and Kristan Yumul are two of nine players brought to Gilas Women by Fil-Am Nation Select.
Admittedly, the young girls know only a few things about Philippine basketball.
“I only knew about Philippine basketball from my dad because he always played basketball on Sundays. I did not really know much about the national team until recently,” said 16-year-old Yumul, who studies at Oxnard.
“Growing up, I did not know a lot about Philippine basketball,” admitted 15-year-old Clovis East standout Ramos. “My family loves basketball. I knew that there was a love for this sport in this country but I did not know how big it was until I got here.
“You can really see it with the way they root for us. It’s beautiful to watch.”
Having been in the country to train with Gilas Women for the last couple of months in preparation for the 2022 FIBA Women’s Under-16 Asian Championships, the two shared that it did not just feel like home. They were actually home.
Weeks before leaving for Amman, Jordan, Gilas Women went around to figure in tune-ups against college teams and clubs. It was there where 10 of the 12 players got close.
Naomi Panginiban and Ryan Nair though were only able to join the team in Jordan.
During those two months, program director Patrick Aquino and head coach Julie Amos saw Ramos and Yumul stand out from the batch.
And it’s not because of their skills but because of how they commanded the floor.
The two would be named the co-captains of the team — a role the two young guns relish and take to heart.
“Being the captain of this team means a lot to me because I think of these girls so high and the fact that they appointed me and Kristan to be captain, being one of the younger ones, means a lot. I feel like I’m a leader naturally but being appointed means a lot,” expressed Ramos.
It was not just all practices and games for the girls.
During those two months, the girls were also given talks by their ates from Gilas Women. Yes, the back-to-back Southeast Asian Games champions were with them every step of the way.
Speaking on behalf of the team, the two are grateful to get a crash course on what Philippine basketball is all about from the best.
“Recent player Stefanie Berberabe, I look up to her. I also talk to her a lot. The way she plays just motivates me,” shared Yumul, who stands at 5-foot-9.
“Every single senior, they are the ones who set the way for us to represent the country.
“They set the foundation for us. I look up to every single one of them, no one more than the other. They are all my inspiration and who I aspire to be when I’m older. They are the picture of excellence in my point of view,” added 6-footer Ramos.
Solid is how the two describe this team.
The team packs height and athleticism never before seen in past iterations of Gilas Youth.
Heading into their first game on Friday, the co-captains vowed one thing and that is to leave it all on the line and lead the country to Division A.
“Our goal is to win and to get that experience in playing at that level,” said Yumul.
“For this team, the obvious goal is to win gold. Personally, that’s my job, to make sure to win the gold,” seconded Ramos.
“I don’t care what my stats are. If we come home with a medal, my job will be complete.”
