(NI ANN ENCARNACION)

HINDI man kasing-popular ng Gilas men’s team, hindi magpapahuli ang women’s team sa puso at talento na alas nila upang makamit ang tinatarget ng gintong medalya sa 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Maging si SEA Games 3×3 at basketball competition manager Bernie Atienza ay naniniwalang hinog na hinog na ang Filipina cage belles laban sa mga karibal nitong Thailand, Indonesia, at Malaysia.

“I’m wishing for it and it is my prayer always to win the gold. We’ve been frustrated many times especially in the last two SEA Games,” ani Atienza.

“This time around we’re ready and I’m hoping that we finally win it because we have the readiness and strength as per my assessment. We will win it this time,” paniniyak ng deputy executive director ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Naniniwala rin si Atienza na malaking tulong sa Gilas women ang paggabay nina multi-titled Patrick Aquino at dating UAAP MVP Jack Animam.

Apat na koponan o four-way battle lang ang haharapin ng Gilas women para sa gintong medalya, hindi gaya sa men’s team na doble o walong koponan.

“Those which don’t feel they have a chance (of competing), didn’t field in an entry anymore,” paliwanag ng SBP official.

Sisimulan ng mga Pinay ang kanilang kampanya sa Disyembre 5, una kontra Indonesia, sunod ay laban sa Malaysia sa Disyembre 8, at panghuli nilang makakatapat ang Thailand sa Disyembre 10.

Isang round lamang ang labanan kung saan ang koponan na may pinakamagandang record ang makapaguuwi ng gintong medalya.

Kaya’t importante ang bawat game, ayon pa kay Atienza.

Mga laro ngayon ng Pilipinas sa 30th SEA Games

Water Polo

Thu 28 Nov Venue NCC Aquatic Center

10:00 ‐ 11:30 1:30 Thailand vs Philippines Women’s Double Round Robin

19:00 ‐ 20:30 1:30 Thailand vs Philippines Men’s Round Robin

Floorball

Thu 28 Nov Venue U.P. College of Human Kinetics Gym

13:00 ‐ 16:00 3h 0m Women’s Preliminary Round Philippines vs Singapore

19:00 ‐ 22:00 3h 0m Men’s Preliminary Round Philippines vs Singapore

Thu 28 Nov Venue: Iñigo Zobel Polo Facility

Polo

13:00 ‐ 14:00 1:00 Division A: 4-6 Goals G5: A vs C

15:00 ‐ 16:00 1:00 Division A: 4-6 Goals G6: B vs D