Gilas banks on Pontejos for guidance, leadership

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women’s team may be parading a number of young guns but it is still counting on the leadership of its veteran core to get the job done in the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan starting Monday.

One of them is Janine Pontejos, who is ready to take on the Gilas newbies under her wings as the team captain for the continental event slated Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

“Ngayon kasi halos mga bata na yung kasama namin. The good thing is madali sila nakaka-gets ng sistema namin kasi naglaro na din naman sila ng international sa 3×3,” said Pontejos on Gilas 5-on-5  debutants Ella Fajardo, Camille Clarin, Kristine Cayabyab and Karl Ann Pingol.

Pontejos will be joined by Afril Bernardino, Clare Castro, Chack Cabinbin, Khate Castillo, Ria Nabalan, Mar Prado and Andrea Tongco in providing leadership roles for Gilas after anchoring the country’s twin-gold medal haul in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“Yung chemistry namin ng mga veterans nandun na kasi. Alam na namin paano gumalaw isa’t isa, which is importante sa darating na competition,” said Pontejos.