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SBP ties up with Fil-Am Nation Select for Gilas Women US tryouts; Molina, De Jesus, Fajardo among invites
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) continues its hunt for pieces that would shape the future of Philippine women's basketball.
In its latest endeavor, the federation has teamed up with Fil-Am Nation Select in holding a Gilas Pilipinas Women’s preliminary pool tryout that will be staged in the United States on June 4 and 5.
The two-day tryout will help concurrent Gilas Women head coach Patrick Aquino to assess prospects who could be part of the national team in future major international events.
“In behalf of the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s National Program and the Fil-Am Nation Select, we would like to invite you to the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Preliminary Pool Tryout on June 4th and 5th, 2021,” the invitation read.
“During these tryouts, we will also discuss the necessary documents needed for an athlete to be eligible to play and compete in FIBA tournaments.”
In a message to GMA News Online, Cris Gopez, one of the founders of Fil-Am Nation Select, revealed the full list of invitees, which will be headlined by some notable names in Chanelle Molina, Vanessa de Jesus, and Ella Fajardo along with 24 other rising stars.
Molina, who stands at 5-foot-9, was the country’s closest shot at the WNBA after she was signed by Indiana Fever for a training camp deal; however, she was waived due to an injury.
De Jesus, meanwhile, is a recruit of Duke University in the US NCAA Division I and has been on Aquino’s radar since last year. In fact, the decorated mentor revealed that they are now arranging her documents in order to secure a Philippine passport.
Ella Fajardo is also no stranger to the Philippine flag. She suited up for the national team and was part of the Gilas U-18 3x3 squad that played in the World Cup back in 2019 where they finished in the Top 8.
The alliance between SBP and Fil-Am Nation Select could be a major boost for Gilas women program and Aquino, who has been in the States since last year in his bid to search for potential talents. —JMB, GMA News
