The Gilas Pilipinas women’s team are adamant to get back to their winning ways in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Afril Bernardino is determined to help the Gilas Pilipinas Women regain its gold medal ways in the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand, with the competition slated to begin in the coming days.
After claiming a historic gold in front of the home crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City back in 2019, the Gilas Women went back-to-back in ruling the competition, finishing on top in the Vietnam edition of the tournament in 2022 as well.
But in 2023, it was more of an uphill battle thanks to lax eligibility rules from hosts Cambodia.
[RELATED: Gilas Women buck personnel issues following late SEA Games decision on eligibility]
Rival Indonesia nabbed the gold medal in the round-robin tournament after going undefeated in six games, while Gilas settled for silver with a 5-1 slate. They lost to the Indonesians, 89-68.
Now with a rejuvenated lineup and more time to prepare, Bernardino is hopeful that they can restore order and bring back the gold medal for the Philippines in women’s 5-on-5 basketball.
“This time siguro, we’re trying to build more and improve more pa every practice syempre, dito sa darating na SEA Games. Syempre, sobrang pinaghahandaan namin siya kasi para sakin, gusto ko bawiin yung gold medal,” Bernardino told the media during the recent sendoff for SEA Games-bound athletes.
It’ll be easier said than done, though, as Gilas will be missing a key cog in center Jack Animam, who is unavailable due to her commitment with her club team in Japan.
But for Bernardino, they will be able to hold their ground.
“Nakapaglaro na kami na wala si Jack, but alam ko kahit wala yung presence niya dito, she’s there to support us pa rin, helping us to grow as one and syempre, we’re happy din kay Jack," she said.
Personal score to settle
There won’t be any shortage of motivation for Bernardino as well with the SEA Games fast approaching.
Because it can be recalled that Bernardino, along with her other teammates like Janine Pontejos and Andrea Tongco, were unable to compete with the national team in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup earlier this year because of other commitments.
[READ: AFP enlisted Gilas players in danger of missing Jones Cup, FIBA Women’s Asia Cup]
As they return to action with Gilas Pilipinas, Bernardino is hoping to give her all in repaying the trust and commitment of the national team.
“Ako para sakin, I’m very proud sa mga young stars na nagrepresent nung FIBA Asia, and nakita rin naman natin yung naging resulta nila. I’m super proud of them, and dito sa SEA Games, siguro, I’ll just do my best to return yung effort na ginawa nila sa FIBA,” she said.
Gilas Pilipinas Women will begin their bid for redemption on December 13 against Malaysia in Group B play at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok. They are also grouped with Singapore.
Gilas will need to win their group for an outright semifinals berth in the new format competition.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.