A week after Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3’s historic performance in the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup, a new breed will be showcased in the 2019 FIBA 3×3 Under-18 World Cup.
The quartet of Karl Ann Pingol, Angelica Surada, Camille Clarin, and Ella Fajardo will represent the Philippines for the first time in the global youth meet that will take place from June 3 to 7 in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.
The young squad was put to the test last Saturday during the fourth leg of level four-tournament SBP-SMART 3X3.
The girls’ national 3×3 basketball team ended up with a 2-2 record in pool play. They lost to collegiate squads NU Lady Bulldogs and CEU Lady Scorpions, 8-17 and 10-14, respectively. The squad’s wins were impressive, though, defeating the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 12-7, before blasting Diliman Lady Blue Dragons, 21-1.
“The games against NU and CEU were tough for them,” said head coach Patrick Aquino. “I think they are ready and it’s good they had this chance to compete kanina.”
The Philippines is slotted in a tough group, as they were pooled with no. 3 France (June 3, 5:10 pm), no. 11 Mongolia (June 3, 6:40 pm), no. 6 Netherlands (June 5, 5:00 pm), and no. 19 Czech Republic (June 5, 8:20 pm).
Still, Aquino is confident that if the girls follow the game plan, they can shock the world.
“They need to talk more and be disciplined pa with there plays. Talent-wise, wala akong masabi meron, but they have to stay together to be solid,” Aquino continued.
For the four players, they are just excited for the chance to represent their motherland at this level-10 event.
“It is my pleasure to be chosen as one of the few players who will represent our country. I am ready to represent and give honor to my countrymen,” said Pingol, who is the 2019 Palarong Pambansa MVP.
“This is my first time to play for the country, and I’m so excited to step on the world stage with my head up high and bannering the Philippine flag. And I want to represent my country again if given a chance,” expressed incoming NU Lady Bulldogs freshman Angelica Surada.
“I’m proud to represent the Philippines because this country has a love for the sport like no other,” said Fil-Canadian Camille Clarin, who owns the record for most three-pointers in one game for Blair High School.
“Despite being born in Canada, I have a strong affiliation with the culture of the Philippines simply through the game of basketball.”
“I have traveled halfway across the globe to be part of this historic first-ever FIBA World U18 3×3 Philippine delegation,” gushed 16-year-old Fajardo, who is studying in Gill St. Bernard’s School.
“I am blessed and very proud to represent The Philippines, my home country, to show our Filipino talent and heart in the global stage.”
