REYNALD MAGALLON

Gilas Youth women’s team eyes a winning start in its bid for a Division A promotion when it opens its 2022 FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship campaign against Indonesia Friday at the Prince Hamza Arena in Jordan.

Heading the cast for the nationals is Ava Fajardo, the younger sister of Gilas women’s seniors team member Ella Fajardo, along with other Filipino-American standouts. 

Also part of the team are BJ Villarin, Camille Nolasco, Emaleena Elson, Gabby Ramos, Hannah Lopez, Kailah Jade Oani, Kristan Yumul, Naomi Panganiban, Ryan Kelly Nair, Samantha Medina, and Sierra Jade Padricio.

The crew will be handled by long time Women’s team coach Julie Amos along with Pepperdine University assistant coach Brian Rosario

Tip-off of the match is at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time)

The girls are playing in the Division B of the tournament where they are also set to face Samoa and Syria in Group A while Kazakhstan, Iran, Jordan and Lebanon battle in Group B.

Gilas looks to finish atop the group standings which will merit an outright semifinals seat. The bottom team at the end of the single round-robin group stage will get eliminated while the second and third best teams from each group will figure in crossover playoff for the final two slots in the semifinals.