Philippine Navy veteran and inaugural WMPBL MVP Afril Bernadino shifts her focus back to Gilas Pilipinas Women.
Gilas Pilipinas Women veteran Afril Bernardino proved to be still among the best in the local circuit, winning MVP in the first-ever Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational despite falling short of the crown with the Philippine Navy.
Not lacking in experience, Bernardino was able to go toe-to-toe with younger players game in and game out in the four-month invitational, a prelude tournament for when the league turns pro.
But while the MVP was a nice addition to her already-impressive career haul, Bernardino focused her WMPBL effort on the impact the league will have to the future of women’s basketball in the Philippines. Among the Filipina ballers who had to go overseas to turn pro a few years back, Bernardino is happy to finally have a home alternative.
“Sabi ko naman, bonus na yung magkaroon ng award na ganito. Kung di rin naman dahil sa teammates ko, and sa mga bata na pa-rise [yung talent],” Bernardino told One Sports at the sidelines in Game 2 of the Finals between the Pilipinas Aguilas and the UST Growling Tigresses.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud kasi ang dami nang Pinay ballers na kitang kita yung mga talents.”
Apart from individual growth, Bernardino noted that the way players fine tune their skills in the WMPBL will also benefit the national team moving forward.
[READ: WMPBL turns into pro league after debut run]
A long-time stalwart for head coach Pat Aquino and the rest of the Gilas Pilipinas Women, the former NU standout believes that the players who have excelled in the league will also be given the chance to do so for flag and country.
With competitions slated later this year, Bernardino feels they need all the help they can get.
“Ang laking tulong [nito for women’s basketball]. Especially since this is the first pro league dito sa Pilipinas and hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy siya. Sobrang laking tulong din kasi, ayun, marami nang Pinay na they can tryout sa [national team], [sa] Gilas, na international na,” she said.
While it’s still early to tell if any new players will put themselves into the mix for the national team, Bernardino and the rest of the Nationals will be expected to begin their preparation for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in July.
“Yeah, we’re still preparing and hopefully, magkaron kami ng mga practice games or exhibition games with Gilas Pilipinas,” she said.
Apart from Bernardino, a couple of Gilas veterans also competed in the WMPBL, like Khate Castillo, and Trina Guytingco. Another key Gilas piece in Janine Pontejos, meanwhile, saw action as coach for alma mater CEU.