The Gilas Pilipinas Women face the possibility of competing in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers without one of their pillars in Jack Animam.
Jack Animam’s availability for Gilas Pilipinas Women remains up in the air as the team prepares for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in France next month.
In an interview during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards, Gilas Women head coach Pat Aquino said that club commitments have raised doubt on whether or not Animam will be available for the qualifiers.
“I still don't know. I still don't know. But, you know, we're hoping na sana kumpleto para may katulong din si Kacey [dela Rosa] and si Afril [Bernardino],” Aquino said.
Animam is currently playing with the Denso Iris in the Women’s Japan Basketball League.
A longtime ace for Gilas Women, Animam was instrumental in clinching the Philippines’ spot in the World Cup qualifiers after crucial performances at the FIBA Asia Cup last year.
[RELATED: Jack Animam relishes chance to bring Gilas Pilipinas to FIBA Women’s World Cup]
The team has been struggling to get players together because of scheduling conflicts, including those of foreign-based players who are still competing in the US NCAA.
Others, meanwhile, are still in the middle of recovering after their gold medal run at the Southeast Asian Games last December, which was the feat that they were honored for at the scribes’ awards night.
“It's really hard right now preparing for the World Cup kasi nga they're still in school pa. And some of the players here are you know, di pa masyadong nakaka-recover pa from the Southeast Asian Games,” said Aquino.
“But, you know, I'm just happy that we will represent our country again in a stage na not just in Asia. Pang world stage na to. So, sana mag-perform kami and hoping that we'll have good success in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers,” he added.
Among those already confirmed to be available for the Gilas Women are Sofia Dignadice and Sumayah Sugapong.
Ella Fajardo’s name was also floated by Aquino among those interested to compete in the tournament.
However, other players like Vanessa de Jesus and Naomi Panganiban are unsure of their availability due to their teams’ possible run in the NCAA Tournament, which also happens next month.
De Jesus plays for Notre Dame, while Panganiban suits up for San Diego State.
Leaning on chemistry, system
Despite the struggles, Aquino will be relying on continuity and his system that has long been in place for the Gilas Women.
With most of the players already under his tutelage from recent years, Aquino said they’ll be able to adjust quicker than most should they be available to play for the upcoming qualifiers.
“I mean, yung mga players abroad, they’ve been with me already. They know what the system is. It’s just more of a just getting to know more a little bit kasi magkakakilala na rin naman sila,” he said.
“They played together in China for the FIBA Asia Cup and then some of them played also with the Southeast Asian Games so mostly, a little tweak lang okay na. And conditioning is already given naman yun.”
The Philippines competes in Tournament D of the qualifiers beginning March 11, facing opponents like host country France, Germany, South Korea, Nigeria, and Colombia.
The Philippines vies for two more World Cup spots dangled in that group, with both Nigeria (AfroBasket champion) and Germany (host) already assured of their respective spots.
Gilas opens its campaign against qualifiers host France on March 11at the Astroballe in Villeurbanne, Lyon.
—
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.