Gilas Women seek upset win vs world No. 8 Brazil

The Gilas Pilipinas Women are getting their baptism of fire in the FIBA Women’s World Cup pre-qualifying tournament when it takes on world No. 8 Brazil on Monday, Aug. 19 (Manila time) at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda.

Tip-off of the clash is at 8 p.m. with the veteran trio of Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos hoping to lead the upset seeking Filipinas to a victory against the taller, faster and more talented Brazilians.

Gilas women head coach Pat Aquino has also injected youngbloods to the team with the addition of former U18 standouts Kristan Yumul and Naomi Panganiban and join Khate Castillo, Stefanie Berberabe, Ella Fajardo, Camille Nolasco, Kacey Dela Rosa, Ella Fajardo and Louna Ozar.

The Nationals, however, will be without two of its stars in Vanessa De Jesus and Jhazmin Joson who both impressed in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup last year in Australia. In that tournament, Gilas finally broke through to the playoffs, highlighted by a 92-81 victory over Chinese Taipei.

Without them, much of the scoring load falls to the shoulders of Animam, Bernardino and Pontejos although girls like Panganiban and Castillo could also provide ample support offensively as what they have shown during the Jones Cup last month.

Brazil, however, is considered one of the powerhouses in the world, even having beaten world No.1 Team USA in the FIBA Americup final in 2023.

Playing the starring role in that clash was Emanuely De Oliveira who is making her national team return in the pre-qualifying tournament.

Brazil also missed the 2024 Paris Olympics after going winless in their qualifying tournament on its home soil last February, making the team all the more motivated to rule the Rwanda tournament and punch an outright ticket to the world cup qualifiers.

After Brazil, Gilas is facing Hungary in less than 24 hours before taking a day break and taking on Senegal on the final day of the group stage. The Nationals need to finish in the top 2 spot of the group to make it to the crossover semifinals.