Khate Castillo’s outside sniping played a huge factor in Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 81-75 conquest of Malaysia in the 30th Southeast Asian Games basketball competitions, Sunday night.
The Filipina cagers had lost a 12-point lead and were down by six with 5:31 to go in the payoff period. The La Salle alum then nailed back-to-back treys to tie the game at 74 with 3:45 remaining.
Gilas Women hit the high gear after. Danica Jose, Janine Pontejos, and Afril Bernardino all did their part to help their side complete the comeback for the six-point win.
For Castillo,though, she simply remembered coach Pat Aquino’s advice to take the shot whenever there’s an opportunity.
“Katulad ng sinabi ni coach Pat, ‘pag open, take it lang,” said Castillo, who finished with 11 markers.
“Lahat kami kapag may open, ititira lang kasi ang sarap sa feeling kapag sinabihan ka ng coach mo ng ganoon kaysa ‘yung parang pinipigilan kang tumira.”
The 23-year-old Castillo added that it also helps that her coaches and her teammates have confidence in her to take shots.
“Sobrang laki kasi unang-una sa lahat, nasa Pilipinas ako. Naglalaro kami para sa Pilipinas. ‘Yung tira kong ‘to, kumpiyansa lang talaga ako kasi binigay sa akin ‘yung bola.
“So dapat may kumpiyansa talaga ako. Sobrang saya lang na may tiwala din sa akin ‘yung teammates,” the 5-foot-4 product of La Salle said.
Following the win over the erstwhile-defending champs, Gilas Women will face Thailand on Tuesday for the chance to win the Philippines’ first gold in SEAG women’s basketball.
Castillo, though, warned that they cannot head into that match thinking they can achieve their goal easily.
“Nakaka-excite kasi ‘yun nga, one game na lang, gold na kami. Pero hindi namin pwedeng isipin na parang ‘Ay mag-go-gold na kami.’ Dapat kung ano ‘yung ginawa namin in the first game, ganoon,” she said.
“Kailangan mag-step up din lahat.”
