A good mix of United States-based players and homegrown talents banner the Gilas girls’ squad marching into battle in the FIBA Women’s U16 Championship slated 10 to 16 July in Amman, Jordan.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas released the names of the final 12 led by Ava Fajardo, younger sister of Philippine basketball’s newest sweetheart, Ella Fajardo.
Like her sister, Ella, who immediately made an impact playing for the Gilas women’s team, much will be expected of the younger Fajardo.
Ava, who plays the guard position, hopes to make a mark while leading Gilas in its mission to move up from Division B to Division A.
The Philippines fell short of getting promoted to Division A when it lost to eventual Division B champion Samoa in their previous campaign.
Fajardo will lead the country’s quest of joining the elites alongside Kimi Sayson and Ariel dela O.
Sayson played for Long Branch girls basketball team while Dela O saw action for Freedom High Basketball.
Also included in the roster are Demicah Jaeriel Arnaldo, Isabella Rose De Jesus, Scarlett Montana Mercado, Alyssia Rylee Palma, Ryan Kelly Nair, Naims Navarro, Ma. Cristina Aubrey Lapasaran, Sophia Canindo and Nevaeh Faith Smith.
Nair, another guard, is a product of Fil-Am nation and has also played previously in the FIBA Asia Under-16 last year where she’s one among the youngest players.
“I think Ava and Ryan, with their experience, are expected to play bigger roles for the team,” head coach Pat Aquino said.
“They were only 14 at the time they joined last year, so their experience would be a big factor in the coming tournament.”
Although he’s been double shifting on his duties as coach of the women’s and girls squads, Aquino added that the under-16 quintet had already trained for nearly a month for this competition.
