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    Super subs step up as Gilas Women get shot at SEA Games gold

    Super subs step up for Gilas Women
    Dec 9, 2019
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    NEEDING an inspiration after blowing a 12-point lead in the third quarter, Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino turned to his bench in hopes for a quick turnaround.

    Boy, did they deliver.

    Khate Castillo delivered the big baskets, while Danica Jose and Mar Prado came up with big defensive plays down the stretch to tow the Philippines to a thrilling 81-75 win over Malaysia in the 30th Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball tournament last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

    The win put the country into a ‘golden showdown’ for all the marbles against Thailand on Tuesday and that would not have been possible had it not for his reserves - the same people that Aquino was pushing for the longest time.

    “Yun ang pinakamaganda dito. Siguro, parang sabihin na natin na nagkaroon sila ng confidence coming in,” said the decorated mentor.

    “The past tournaments na ginagawa namin, we never gave up on them even though they’re the second stringers, which pushed them and ito yun lumabas na yung ginagawa namin,” he added.

    For Aquino, the key was letting them realize that they’re an integral part of the team, limited minutes and all.

    And by putting them in with the game about to slip away from the Philippines, Aquino proved that his talk is not just lip service.

    “[It is] the experience na even though you are a second stringer, you’re a part of this team. Hindi ka lang pang-sub. You can make it big and they did make it big,” Aquino continued.

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      “Dan, Mar, Khate, with Kelli [Hayes] having trouble playing defense - I’m just happy. Sobrang saya ko sa mga nilaro nila today.”

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      Castillo had a huge hand in that run, draining back-to-back triples to tie the game at 74 with 3:46 remaining in the game.

      Jose, who had two big blocks earlier, then put the Philippines ahead for good with a split.

      For Castillo, she’s just basically repaying the trust of her coach in situations like this.

      “Katulad ng sinabi ni coach Pat, pag open, take it lang. Lahat kami kapag may open, ititira lang kasi ang sarap sa feeling kapag sinabihan ka ng coach mo ng ganoon kaysa yung parang pinipigilan kang tumira. Kami laro lang kami,” Castillo stated.

      “Oo, na-pressure kami sa lumamang na nga sila. Ang layo ng lamang namin sa kanila, dumikit, tapos lumamang pa sila. [Pero] sabi nga ng mga teammates ko din na chill lang, one at a time lang. Play by play lang, wag lang magmamadali.”

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      Don’t expect Castillo and company to relax. On Tuesday, they’ll still be packing the same type of mentality as they look to make history for the Philippines.

      “Nakaka-excite kasi yun nga, one game na lang, gold na kami. Pero syempre hindi namin pwedeng isipin na parang, 'Ay, magogo-gold na kami.' Dapat kung ano yung ginawa namin in the first game, ganoon lang. Kailangan mag-step up din lahat. Yun lang.”

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      PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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