To achieve its goal of taking the team to the next level, key members of Gilas Pilipinas under-16 team competing in Division B of the FIBA Asia Championship will have to step up to the challenge.
Coach Ai Lebornio and the team’s newest star, Ava Fajardo, are learning to embrace their new roles on the squad that is being handled by head mentor Patrick Aquino.
Serving as deputy to Aquino in the Gilas program for four years now, Lebornio is now getting a more active role coaching in the sidelines, a task given to him by Aquino.
“Coach Pat allowed me to coach the team. He told me to take charge coaching during the games, but reassured me that he’ll be supporting me,” wrote Lebornio via Messenger to Daily Tribune.
“But if there are adjustments that needs to be done, he would tell me right away.”
Lebornio and the young Gilas girls coasted their way to their third straight win in as many games and swept their group stage matches in Group A.
The Filipinas will advance to the semifinal round to face the second-best team in Group B for a knockout encounter in the Final Four starting Saturday.
In their latest win, a 106-58 bashing of host team Jordan, it was Fajardo, who once again took charge, pumping in 13 of his 17 points in the second half and allowing the Filipinas to book a trouble-free ride into the next round.
Lebornio said he was amazed at the maturity of Fajardo, younger sister of Gilas Pilipinas women’s newest sensation Ella Fajardo.
“We were surprised at how matured she got in a span of a year,” said Lebornio on Fajardo, who joined the program as a 14-year-old player last year, but is now playing the role as one of the leaders of the current squad.
“She knows her role. We’re thankful because as a senior, there are certain expectations on her and Ryan Nair. We’re so happy they were able to show up and prove they’re up for the challenge.”
Aquino, on the other hand, sees better chemistry with the current squad and the desire to win is greater, knowing the team wants to bounce back and make it to the next level.
“Talent-wise, I don’t think it’s more talented than last year, but I think they’re playing with much better chemistry and Ava and Ryan played a big role with that,” Aquino said.
“I think the sense of urgency to win and the desire to make it to the next level, you can feel it in this team.”
