By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--Probably to the surprise of many women's basketball fans who have followed her career since her National University days, reigning WMPBL Most Valuable Player Afril Bernardino missed out on Gilas Pilipinas' final lineup for the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

Her veteran smarts would have been of great help in keeping Gilas composed after blowing a 17-point lead against Lebanon on Wednesday.

However, despite her absence, Bernardino is happy that Gilas showed heart, especially after holding on against a Lebanese side now powered by naturalized big woman Jillian Archer to clinch a quarterfinal spot, stay in Division A, and also book a spot in the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournaments with a chance to upgrade it to an outright FIBA WWC berth should they rule the FIBA WAC.

"I never doubted the girls, and yung tiwala naming mga veterans na binigay sa kanila... yung game kahapon, nag-pay off lahat. So sobrang nakaka-proud kung paano sila magtrabaho. Yung heart at pride nila na i-represent ang Philippines, nandoon," Bernardino said on Thursday when she was invited to coach a group of young female ballers at the PhilSports Arena.

Coach Pat Aquino decided to bring in a young core led by Vanessa De Jesus over the likes of Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, Kaye Pingol, Tantoy Ferrer, and Chack Cabinbin.

The five veterans still had some Gilas chores to do as they took part in the basketball clinic organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Embassy of Israel in partnership with the Laura Vicuna Foundation.

Despite the snub, Bernardino still trusts the girls in what they can do, and the team repaid it with the gutsy win against Lebanon and a gallant stand against Japan before that.

"Ang daming nagsasabi sa akin na kung nandoon daw ako, matatalo yung Japan, pero sabi ko kayang-kaya nila yan. Hindi naman din nila makukuha na ibaba sa three points ang lamang nung Japan kung hindi sila nagtrabaho. Siguro naging short lang talaga sa oras," Bernardino further said.

All eyes are now on a huge Friday night clash between Gilas and South Korea at the Shenzhen Sports Center, and some believe that with how Gilas has tremendously improved, they can pull off a huge upset against the Koreans to at least match the Philippines' best FIBA Women's Asia Cup finish when the pre-Gilas teams placed fourth in 1965 and 1984.

"Siguro naman, a lot of them, naka-experience na against Korea. May experience at knowledge na sila how to defend or make points against Korea. If they give their heart and pride lang ulit every game," Bernardino further said.

Right now, though, Bernardino is already one happy girl for Gilas whatever happens to the national team's campaign in the end, as she hopes to make a return to the national team once it's the Philippines' turn to host in 2027.

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