Kudos Aquino, Gilas ladies 3x3

IN AN amazing turned of event, coinciding with the Christian don Easter Week Celebration, a group of virtual unknown Lads and Gals made the country more proud than ever as they itched their names in the sporting history following a pair of impressive performances during the FIBA Asia Cup 3X3 held recently in Singapore.

What more amazing is that, both sides made history, as no other Gilas-Pilipinas 3X3 squad have achieve it, not even with their more illustrious counter-part in the main team roster, not until today. As sheer guts and determination that propel them to greatness.

The young Gilas men side led by Ginebra”s Ralph Cu, Jerrick Ahamnisi, Sean Alter and Chris Koon, finished sixth after losing to a streak-shooting South Korea, 15-18. Thus left the women carried on the fight.

The young ladies of Gilas’ mentor Patrick Aquino, that shone throughout the tournament, as the triplets’ of Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, Kacey de la Rosa and Cheska Appag (substitute) made the “giant-killing”run beating Maldives in the opener, 18-9, and turned back Tonga, 19-10.

Though the Fililpinas wound their Pool D campaign with a 10-21 lost to the Lady Aussies, still went on to quarterfinals as they booted out powerhouse Mongolia, 15-12, to earn a semifinals seat. Wherein the Gilas ladies faces another powerhouse, Japan.

Gilas’ tough determination and its’ big fighting heart paid-off as it shocked the Japanese, 21-19, and arranged a finals meeting with Pool D tormentor, Australia, which went on beating Gilas, 18-9, for its fourth consecutive 3x3 titles.

But the bottomline here, is that women’s basketball in the country have come long way. In fact it was the first ever and the highest, so far, podium finished by a Filipinas’ team in the tournament.

Another facts that women basketball had gone through leaps and bound is when the Gilas women finally captured SEA Games Gold medal for the first time in 2019 and the 23rd edition held in Thailand last year beating the host, 65-60.

Gilas women’s triumph through the years, speaking for myself, can be attributed to Patrick Aquino’s tireless, dedication and nurturing the growth, not only in developing women’s basketball, also seeing making sure his project-baby will through the road of success.

But sad thing, amidst moment of triumph, the-55 year old Aquino has recently announced his retirement since handling national women’s team since 2014.and brought the program to a division A caliber

I’m sure Gilas women will miss him and the program he will pass it on to next handler. For my part. this corner wished you well and good luck to your next endeavour and KUDOS.