The Philippines will take on Brazil, Hungary, and Senegal for the first time in the bid to reach the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
Jack Animam and Janine Pontejos will lead the Philippine women's national basketball team on the long road to the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women will be competing in the Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda starting August 19.
Making the final 11 are Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, Khate Castillo, Stefanie Berberabe, Afril Bernardino, Lounia Ozar, Camille Nolasco, Kacey dela Rosa, Ella Fajardo, Kristian Yumul, and Naomi Panganiban.
Bernardino was Gilas' leading scorer at the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
"Known for her athleticism and relentlessness to win, Afril is one of the best players I have seen in the country. Her constant will to learn and determination to work harder than anybody else has made her who she is now," said coach Patrick Aquino.
Meanwhile, Animam came up big in the Asia Cup, averaging 10 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
World number 40 Philippines is drawn in Group C along with world number 8 Brazil, world number 16 Hungary, and world number 25 Senegal.
The top two would reach the semifinals, against the top two teams in Group D (Rwanda, Great Britain, Argentina, and Lebanon).
Only the winner of the Rwanda tournament will book a ticket to the Women's World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.