Perlas out to show they belong in the top tier
MANILLA (FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017) – After their hugely impressive promotion two years ago, a stern test awaits Philippines as they prepare for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 in Bengaluru.
The positive is that they can rely on the core of the players who excelled in Bangkok during the previous edition when they won five of their six games in the Thai capital.
| Philippines 14-player squad for FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 | |||
| Aracelie Abaca | Analyn Almazan | Jack Danielle | Merenciana Arayi |
| Afril Bernardino | Clare Castro | France Mae Cabinbin | Raiza Rose Dy |
| Allana May Lim | Gemma Miranda | Janine Pontejos | Cindy Resultay |
| Camille Sambile | Marizze Andrea Tongco | ||
Allana May Lim was the standout name on the 14-player candidate list and the team will be looking to her for inspiration. She contributed a team-high 15.3 points and 2.2 assists per game, en-route to clinching a Division A ticket.
Similarly, fans are being urged to watch out for Afril Bernardino was who MVP of the SEABA last year and the top-rebounder in 2015.
Survival is likely to be the name of the game for head coach Patrick Aquino, as Philippines look to defy the odds as the lowest ranked team in their Group.
However, their prospects are being hampered by the absence of a naturalized player in the squad, having previously talked about the possibilities of Kelly Hardeman, Kelli Hayes and Arnecia Hawkins suiting up.
The Perlas will go into the tournament as rank outsiders and will go up against Australia, Japan and Korea in the opening phase.
FIBA
