The Gilas Women 3x3 team feels ready to face bigger challenges in FIBA 3x3 competitions, after a podium finish in Manila Hustle 3x3.
It wasn’t a fairy tale ending for the Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 during their two-day stint in Manila Hustle 3x3.
The national team members missed out on the chance for the gold and were relegated to the battle for bronze, with a loss to Spain-based Panthers 3x3 in the semifinals at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on Sunday.
But for stalwarts Camille Clarin and Jhaz Joson, there were a lot of positives to take away, especially after going toe-to-toe with a competitive field of teams in the invitational tournament.
Laser-focused on preparing for the upcoming FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore in March, the team tested its mettle against foes which also featured past Olympians, and top 3x3 players in the FIBA World Rankings.
[RELATED: New-look ZOOS Tokyo defends Manila Hustle 3x3 title, Gilas Women claim bronze]
For Clarin, ending up on the podium was a good barometer of things to come.
“This is our first tournament of the year, so to [reach the] podium alone is a great start for us. It just goes to show that the work that we’ve been putting in is working and the ceiling is endless. There’s a lot more to achieve for us this year,” said Clarin.
Joson mirrored her sentiments, and said that it helped her keep her stamina up, especially after adjusting from 5-on-5 to 3x3.
Getting in the extra work with a conditioning coach with the rest of the team is also helping them in preparing for the busy year ahead.
“[3x3 is] tiring. You know. It’s my second season [in Manila Hustle]. I felt like, when I was with Titan, you know, three people, that was tiring. Even now, even with four people, super tiring. But really, really loved the competition and all. Yeah, you know, all the teams were great, competitive,” said Joson.
“This is gonna be a really great help for us. This was part of our preparation for FIBA, so, this will be our main [focus]… It will really help us in the future,” she added.
After Manila Hustle 3x3, the team is also headed to Singapore over the weekend for another tournament. And thanks to those type of experiences, the Nationals are feeling confident of what they can do.
“We’ve been able to play against really good international teams and players. I think that proves to us that we can’t only compete in the local scene, but we can compete internationally,” said Clarin.
Clarin was at the forefront of Gilas’ push in Manila Hustle 3x3, she was named part of the Mythical 3 along with Panthers 3x3 Saicha Grant-Allen, and ZOOS Tokyo’s Ama Degbeon, who was also the tournament MVP.