TWO Negrenses dribblers and an Ilongga cagebelle will carry the Philippine colors when they defend their U18 girls basketball division title in the upcoming 2018 Asean School Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week.
Palarong Pambansa veteran Kent Jane Pastrana of Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School in Silay City will lead the Western Visayan pride alongside Bacolod City’s Lina Goto, who is a mainstay of University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos.
Also joining the team is center Karl Ann Pingol of Iloilo City.
Completing the Piao Fedillaga–mentored team are China Esatcio, Angelica Surada, Bonnie Solis, Agatha Bron, Jil Talas, Kristine Cayabyab, Patricia Mendoza, Angelica Surada, and Caila Marie Galamiton.
Silay City-based assistant Coach Denden Velez said the selection of Pastrana and Goto only proved that Negrense athletes can complete with anybody given the chance. “We have the talent and just need the proper support,” said Velez, who steered the Negros Occidental girls basketball to a back-to-back silver finish in the Palaro.
Velez added that he always reminds his players not to aspire to be the best in the team but to be the best for the team instead.
A sweep of all four games would give the Philippines the automatic championship based on the Asean Sports Games tournament rule.