Push Admin

FIBA Women’s Asia Cup: Clare Castro, Gilas ready to face taller competition

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Clare Castro. File photo" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/09/18/castro.jpg"/><figcaption>Clare Castro. File photo</figcaption></figure></div><p>The Philippines national basketball team will be going up against a taller field at the 2021 FIBA Women&#x27;s Asia Cup starting Monday in Amman, Jordan.</p><p>The Gilas Pilipinas women, who have an average height of 5-foot-8, are set to face towering China, Australia, and Chinese-Taipei in the group stages. </p><p>The Chinese side has an average height of 6-foot-1 while the Australians stand at 5-foot-11.</p><p>Clare Castro, Gilas&#x27; 6-foot-4 center, acknowledged the height difference.</p><p>&quot;Meron po talagang pressure kasi I&#x27;m the only one na matangkad sa team,&quot; the 24-year-old said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/24/21/gilas-women-begin-preparations-for-womens-asia-cup">Gilas Women begin preparations for FIBA Women&#x27;s Asia Cup</a></li></ul><p>Since her graduation from Far Eastern University, Castro took her talent to the national team, forming an alliance with the likes of 6-foot-2 Jack Animam, and 6-footers Kelli Hayes and Danica Jose in the rotation of the Patrick Aquino-coached squad.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/08/21/gilas-women-training-in-lipa-for-fiba-womens-asia-cup">Gilas Women training in Lipa for FIBA Women&#x27;s Asia Cup</a></li></ul><p>But Animam could not join the team due to her commitment to Serbian club Radnički Kragujevac, while Hayes could not come back home due to quarantine restrictions.</p><p>Despite the height disparity, Castro said she was excited to play in the tournament, where she will go head to head with Australia&#x27;s Bec Allen, China duo Li Yueru and Han Xu, and Chinese-Taipei&#x27;s Tsai Peichen.</p><p>&quot;Lahat naman po ng teams nakaka-excite kalaban. Kasi sila po ’yung tough teams sa level na &#x27;to,&quot; Castro said.</p><p>Backing up Castro are 5-foot-7 Ann Pingol and 5-foot-7 Mar Prado, both natural power forwards. They might also use the natural swingman Ria Nabalan, also 5-foot-7, at center.</p><p>That is why for Castro, it will be important to be on the floor at all times, avoiding unnecessary fouls while still bodying up against the giants of the continent.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/22/21/gilas-women-off-to-jordan-for-fiba-womens-asia-cup">Gilas Women off to Jordan for FIBA Women&#x27;s Asia Cup</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Gusto ko lang po maka-contribute sa team at magawa ’yung pinapagawa ng coaches sa akin,&quot; she said.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1779159" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Gilas Pilipinas women, who have an average height of 5-foot-8, are set to face towering China, Australia, and Chinese-Taipei in the group stages.