Kacey Dela Rosa and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 3x3 team are raring to make the country proud when they see action in the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup.
Kacey Dela Rosa will be bringing over valuable experience from their Pilipinas United 3x3 League stint as the Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 prepare to represent the country at the upcoming FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in Xiong An, China next month.
Dela Rosa, a two-time UAAP MVP, helped Gilas reach the semifinals over the weekend at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay along with teammates Elaine Etang, Cheska Apag, and Tin Cayabyab.
Hoping to pull off surprises as the 16-seed in the World Cup, she said that they will be better next time around.
“Siguro, 'yung lessons na nakuha namin in this tournament, for sure, dadalin namin 'yun sa World Cup,” Dela Rosa told media at the sidelines of the two-day tournament on Sunday night.
“For sure, super makakahelp siya sa amin.”
[READ: Kacey Dela Rosa believes Gilas Women on their way to be competitive for FIBA U23 3x3 World Cup]
The Ateneo standout experienced stiff competition, especially on the defensive end where she was battered all tournament long by her foes, often finding herself on the floor as she attempted to dominate near the basket for Gilas Pilipinas.
Going up against players from countries like Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore over the weekend, Dela Rosa wants to be able to emulate her more mature opponents.
Still in college, she hopes she improves quickly and in time to benefit her and Gilas at the World Cup.
“First, siguro, [gusto ko matutunan sa mga kalaban ko] 'yung gaano sila kabilis mag-adjust and kung paano nila mabilis mag-next play kasi 'yun 'yung parang nahihirapan ako matutunan,” admitted Dela Rosa.
“Parang, 'pag nagkamali ako, parang iisipin ko muna siya. Anyway, matutunan ko rin naman sila and yung executions nila,” she continued.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 3x3 team looked poised for a finals berth in their most recent tournament at the Pilipinas United 3x3 League but fell victim to a buzzer-beating two-pointer from eventual champions Maurice Lacroix of Japan in the semis, 9-11.