PHNOM PENH — Denied of winning the gold in the 3×3 competition, the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team opens up its campaign in five 5-on-5 as it faces host Cambodia Wednesday at the Elephant Hall 2 of the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
The Cambodian team will parade once again the American-reinforced 3×3 crew of Britany Dinkins, Meghan Simmons, Mariah Cooks and Kim Hanlon as they get a chance to derail Gilas’ quest to complete a three-peat.
Dinkins is a 5-foot-7 guard who won a championship playing in Chile and was a Most Valuable Player in the Icelandic League where she was also the scoring and assist leader.
Simmons was a former draftee in the Women’s National Basketball Association by the New York Liberty, but was waived immediately. She would crack the lineup of the Atlanta Dream a few years after, but also had stints playing in the European circuit.
‘They’re going to play and I don’t know if there would be more.’
Cooks played for the Washington State University Cougars where she averaged 6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds an outing.
Hanlon, on the other hand, played in the Western Port Basketball Association in Australia for the Hayward Reign.
Still, head coach Patrick Aquino remains unfazed.
“They’re going to play and I don’t know if there would be more,” said Aquino, referring to the four American players.
“But we’re ready. The players are already settled, especially our three players who played in the 3×3. Also, aside from the fact that we won against them in the 3×3, I think psychologically we still have the edge being the defending champion.”
Aside from these crack American players, Aquino and the rest of the Gilas women’s squad will have to deal with the searing heat.
On Monday, Gilas center Clare Castro was unable to finish the practice and needed medical attention owing to the hot weather.
For Jack Animam, the returning mainstay of Gilas women’s squad, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm her role as the most important piece of the team.
Last year, an anterior crucial ligament injury deprived her the opportunity of playing for the Philippines.
When she recovered, Animam played in a high-level competition in France.
Animam and Castro are going to be joined by Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Chak Cabinbin, Camille Clarin, Khate Castillo, Katrina Guytingco, Stefanie Berberabe, Andrea Tongco and Angel Surada.
