Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino remains proud despite team falling short of gold medal anew in 3x3 basketball

PHNOM PENH — Gilas Pilipinas women 3x3 head coach Patrick Aquino said he remains proud of his wards despite falling short of bagging the gold medal in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.

The Filipina ballers initially lost to Vietnam in their group phase meeting, but eventually regained their top form to beat Laos and dethrone former defending champion Thailand to book a semifinals ticket.

The Philippines then leaned on veteran Afril Bernardino's game-winning shot to upset hometown bet Cambodia in the semis, booking a spot in the finals and arranging a rematch against Vietnam.

But they could not solve the puzzle against the Vietnamese, falling with a 21-16 loss to settle for silver.

Still, Aquino expressed pride with how their SEA Games campaign turned out for them as they bounced back from a no medal-finish in the previous edition.

"I'm still proud of the girls. From losing the first game and the championship, I think it's a better showing from their previous participation na wala tayong medal," Aquino said on Sunday.

"Now we're back with silver. I'm just happy na rin with the performance but still sad kasi hindi natin nakuha 'yung gold."

("I'm still proud of the girls. From losing the first game and the championship, I think it's a better showing from their previous participation where we had no medal... Now we're back with silver. I'm just happy with the performance but still sad because we weren't able to get the gold.")

But while he's proud, Aquino didn't shy away from the need to step up their game, especially with other teams improving their level of play as time goes by.

"Sa'kin lang is we have to perform at the level we're supposed to play especially during this time, the Southeast Asian Game. I know this is a different level," he added.

"Sa'kin lang we need to strategize.  I think, for a fact, the other teams and other countries are trying to level up also."

("For me, we have to perform at the level we're supposed to play, especially during this time, the Southeast Asian Games. I know this is a different level... For me, we need to strategize. I think, for a fact, the other teams and other countries are trying to level up also.")

—JMB, GMA Integrated News