Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 SEA Games

Gilas Women’s odyssey all worth it for Afril Bernardino


Afril Bernardino was in the last two editions of the Southeast Asian Games playing for Gilas Pilipinas Women. Both times, though, she and her team went back home empty-handed. 

And so she could not be faulted for the joy she felt after those heartbreaks finally turned into success.

On Tuesday night, the Philippines finally captured that elusive SEA Games gold medal following a dominant 91-71 win over Thailand in front of a sizable crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Sobrang thankful and blessed na, sa wakas, binigay ni God,” expressed Bernardino, who finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds alongside five assists and two blocks in the victory.

“Siguro panahon na rin talaga na binigay na sa ‘min ‘tong SEA Games gold dahil pinaghirapan din naman namin.”

Aside from the last two SEA Games, where the Filipina cagers finished fourth, Bernardino said that the experiences she and the rest gained from other tourneys also helped them to where they are now.

Prior to the Games, Gilas Women played in the Jones Cup in Taiwan last July; in the FIBA Asia Cup in India last September; and in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in New Zealand last month.

“‘Yun ‘yung laging sinasabi ni coach Pat (Aquino) na experience, experience. Inaccept namin ‘yun as a learning talaga and we prove it every practice talaga,” said Bernardino.

“So worth it lahat. ‘Yun ‘yung masasabi ko, as in worth it.”

But there was more to it than just winning the gold. For Bernardino, what also pushed them to succeed was their desire to let women’s basketball shine on such a grand stage.

#ReadMore  Napa explains why it took so long to get Baltazar to Gilas

And they did just that,with even Gilas Men’s head coach Tim Cone singing high praises for them.

“Actually, sinasabi namin na siguro wala pa kaming napapatunayan, kaya siguro wala pa kaming support.

“But now, ginrab talaga namin ‘tong opportunity para mabigyan ng chance ang women’s basketball,” she said.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women’s campaign in the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament ended on a sour note as they suffered a heavy 87-62...

Basketball

Coming off a valiant 74-77 loss to world No. 8 Brazil, Gilas Pilipinas Women were dealt a harsh defeat 24 hours later. The Philippines...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women suffered a heartbreaking loss in their opening game of the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Pre-qualifiers. The Philippines endured a narrow...

Bandwagon Wire

There are many reasons to be excited about Gilas Pilipinas Women, which will compete in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament in...

Basketball

The numbers did not fall in favor of Gilas Pilipinas Women. The Philippines not only fell to host Chinese-Taipei Blue, 66-82, but also fell...

Basketball

Jack Animam and Afril Bernardo shone brightly in Gilas Pilipinas’ 68-58 win over Thailand, leading the way to a rebound win with just a...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women’s rally fell short, resulting in an 83-85 defeat at the hands of Japan’s Universiade team on Monday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Women bounced back in the 2024 William Jones Cup, securing a 73-63 win over Harimau Malaysia on Sunday at Xinzhuang Gymnasium. Coming...

Advertisement