Jack Animam raring to play for Gilas Women again, hopes to return from injury 'stronger and better'

Double Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jack Animam could only watch her Gilas Pilipinas women’s basketball teammates as she could not join the national squad in the ongoing games in Hanoi.

But Animam, who is recovering from an ACL and MCL injury she suffered last year, continues to extend her support to the members of the squad, offering help in however way she can.

“We constantly have video calls. Just a few days lang, I talked to our 3x3 team in Hanoi. I called them, and they also call me, so we  updated each other. Like ano na ganap sa team. Kamusta na, ganon. I’m, also communicating to Coach Pat (Aquino), too. He calls me always, asking how I am. How’s my recovery,” Animam said in an online interview.

Not being available to join both the 5-on-5 and 3x3 teams of the national squad was tough for Animam, who was part of the two women’s basketball teams that delivered gold medals for the first time in the history of the biennial meet three years ago in Manila.

In this edition of the SEA Games in Vietnam, though, the 3x3 team fell short of finishing on the podium after falling to Indonesia in the bronze medal match.

Animam was a key figure in the National University Lady Bulldogs’ five-peat champion squad before she moved to Taiwan to play for Shih Hsin University that competed in the University Basketball Association.

She became a professional player in the First Women's Professional League in Serbia, joining ZKK Radnicki Kragujevac, but suffered a knee injury last December.

Animam is currently on the fifth month of recovery period, which could extend to 10 months.

“Mga eight to 10 months yung recovery period ko. The main goal for me is to get back stronger and better.” 

“I’m not gonna lie, I wish I’m there. But I could only wish I’m playing there,” added Animam.

“I felt a bit sad not being with them. But that’s life, I have to keep moving forward. We have to keep moving forward. I will only come out stronger and better with this injury. And I can’t wait to play for the Philippines again with my teammates.”

But for now, she can only hope that the members of the Gilas women’s team competing in the ongoing SEA Games basketball tournament can hold the fort as the Filipinas try to defend the 5-on-5 championship.

She remains a believer, especially with Coach Patrick Aquino at the helm.   

"As long as they will play together, and follow the game plan of the coaches, they won’t even think that I am missing. And especially, the talent that’s in the lineup. Yes, we may have a height disadvantage, but those girls have the grit and the motivation to defend the gold. Sabi nga nila walang malaking nakakapuwing."

For Animam, the key to defending the title will depend on the desire that the team brings out onto the floor.  

"I think wanting it more than ever is  gonna be the X-Factor. The adversity they had to face coming to this SEA Games was tough and that was hard enough to shape up the squad," she said.

—JMB, GMA News