AFRIL Bernardino and Jack Animam banner the 16-women pool for Gilas Pilipinas Womens for the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Coach Patrick Aquino bared the list as the team gears up for the women's basketball competition of the biennial event set to start on December 4.
"I think it's the best pool that we can have," said the decorated mentor.
Bernardino and Animam were part of the 2017 squad which just missed out on a podium in the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, where the Philippines finished fourth with a 4-2 card.
Aside from the two, other returnees from that squad are Janine Pontejos, Clare Castro, Andrea Tongco, Chack Cabinbin, and Snow Penaranda.
Fil-Am forward Kelli Hayes is also set for her SEA Games debut, together with Khate Castillo, Gemma Miranda, Danica Jose, Bea Daez, and Eunique Chan - all of whom suited up for Gilas Womens in the 2019 Fiba Women's Asia Cup.
Completing the list are Camille Claro, Tina Deacon, and University of Utah standout Sarah Porter.
"They are eager and hungry to prove themselves. I think we have more exposure and experience now going into the games. Then again, we want to play our best in front of our countrymen," said Aquino.
The last time the Philippines made the podium in the women's basketball tournament of the SEA Games was back in 2013 when the Ewon Arayi-led Team Philippines won the silver medal in Naypyidaw in Myanmar.