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SEA Games: Golden breakthrough not impossible for Gilas women

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/11/26/20191126-kelly-hayes-fiba-file.jpg"/><figcaption>The presence of Kelly Hayes gives the Philippines a viable shot at gold in SEA Games women&#x27;s basketball. FIBA/file</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – After a pair of agonizing finishes in the past two editions of the Southeast Asian Games, hopes are high that the Philippine women&#x27;s basketball team will finally break through and earn a gold medal at home.The Filipinas settled for fourth place in 2015 and 2017, each time suffering painful defeats to Indonesia that crushed their medal hopes.Bernie Atienza, the basketball competition manager for the SEA Games and a former women&#x27;s basketball coach, is optimistic that the Gilas Pilipinas women&#x27;s team will reach its goal next month.&quot;This time around, I think we&#x27;re very ready for the 5-on-5,&quot; he said during the PSA Forum on Tuesday. &quot;I&#x27;m hoping we finally win it because we have the readiness, the strength. As per my assessment, we will win it this time.&quot;Only four teams will contest the gold in the women&#x27;s division: the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.Malaysia won gold two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, with Thailand taking silver and Indonesia, the bronze.&quot;It&#x27;s a four-way battle,&quot; said Atienza. &quot;We go through one round, and the best finish will win the gold medal. Walang playoffs.&quot;For Atienza, a golden finish for the women&#x27;s team will be crucial for the growth of the sport, especially for its dreams of creating a &quot;post-collegiate league&quot; for female basketball players.&quot;I believe that&#x27;s the only way of really strengthening our program sa women&#x27;s team. The problem is availability of sponsors for such endeavor is really lacking,&quot; he said.&quot;So, if we win this time the gold medal, I think sponsors will come in.&quot;Anchoring the Philippine women&#x27;s team are National University standouts Jack Danielle Animam and Kelli Hayes, along with former three-time UAAP MVP Afril Bernardino.Atienza, who was joined in the PSA Forum by FIBA-appointed technical delegate and Southeast Asian Basketball Association secretary-general Agus Antares Mauro, is confident that the Philippine men&#x27;s team will continue its dominance as well. He does acknowledge the threat posed by the Indonesians, as they are now coached by former Gilas mentor Rajko Toroman.&quot;I didn&#x27;t see any really big threat, except for Rajko Toroman, to be honest about it. If you know our basketball you will agree with me that this guy is very good. He might bring some surprises,&quot; he said.Meanwhile, the competition in the 3x3 event is &quot;an open race,&quot; said Atienza. &quot;We know the capacity of the other nations. Remember, they were first in being involved in the 3x3 activities,&quot; he pointed out.The 3x3 event begins on December 1 at FilOil Flying V Centre, while basketball begins on December 4 at Mall of Asia Arena.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

The Filipinas, who settled for fourth place in 2015 and 2017, hope they complete their objective in next month's SEA Games.

The Filipinas, who settled for fourth place in 2015 and 2017, hope they complete their objective in next month's SEA Games.

SEA Games: Golden breakthrough not impossible for Gilas women

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SEA Games: Golden breakthrough not impossible for Gilas women

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 27, 2019 12:45 AM PHT

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Updated November 27, 2019 11:40 AM PHT

Read More:

SEA Games

30th SEA Games

Gilas Pilipinas Women's

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