by Waylon Galvez
The Gilas Women’s 3×3 national team made it to the next stage after defeating Sri Lanka, 21-6, to earn a spot in the Sweet 16 playoffs of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Friday night in Changsha, China.
The team of coach Patrick Aquino split its matches in Pool C, losing its first game to Japan, 20-8.
The women’s squad topped Pool A in the first round with wins against Chinese Taipei (16-13) and Samoa (21-1) last Wednesday and versus Vanuatu (22-5) last Thursday.
The women’s team is composed of collegiate standouts Jack Danielle Animam and Afril Bernardino of National University, Janine Pontejos of Centro Escolar University and Clare Castro of Far Eastern University.
Pontejos, the three-point champion in last year’s World Cup, said that they will be playing on Sunday although their opponent remains unknown.
“We still don’t know the team, but we are ready against any team. We hope to do well in the next round,” she said.