Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 SEA Games

Khate Castillo steps up when Gilas Women needed her the most


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.

#ReadMore  Rupert Baña scores brace as Ateneo sinks NU for 3rd straight win

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.”

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

What men can do, women can do just the same. Luisa San Juan proved this on Wednesday noon, sinking 10 three-pointers and tying the...

Basketball

Luisa San Juan tied the UAAP event record for most three-pointers made in a single game, propelling De La Salle University to an 89-65...

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...

Advertisement