The number of aspiring US-based Filipino players (even in women’s basketball), who want to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas squad, continues to grow.
Eight Filipino-American squads, each composed of 10 players, are currently in Manila participating in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), hoping to impress local sports agents and the big boss of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s national basketball federation.
The NBTC, chaired by former PBA star Eric Altamirano, is part of SBP’s recruiting arm and has been looking for talented players with Filipino blood abroad through the Global Games since 2022.
Among the aspiring players in this year’s batch is the 15-year-old Laela Mateo.
A Grade 9 student at Franklin High School in Sacramento, California, Mateo stands 5’7” inches and could play effectively, both guard and shooting guard positions.
“If I have a chance, I want to play and represent the Philippines in international competitions. It’s a dream I share with my father, so I will try my best to make it,” said Mateo shortly after a close 45-46 loss of her Fil-Am 2 team against local squad Young Queen’s during Tuesday’s morning session game.
In the afternoon match, Mateo’s cat-quick moves and touch in the long distance proved valuable in her team’s 49-46 win over the Filipino Canadian squad at the Game Ville Center in Greenfield, Pasig City.
Mateo scored 13 points, including a tough left-handed lay-up off a crossover play that put her team to a safe three-point lead going into the final 60 seconds.
Mateo’s crucial offensive play brought the crowd, including her father Lance and Nikki Villasin, the Chicago-based Fil-Am that helped UST dethroned National U in the UAAP women’s basketball championship last December, on their feet.
“I got to play my best. I just needed to keep my focus on winning one game at a time. I hope I can make it to the Gilas Team this time,” said Mateo.
Currently toting a 1-2 card, the Fil-Am 2 squad needs one more win to make it to the quarterfinal phase of the league.
“I’m very confident the team will make it through,” said Fil-Am 2 coach Brian Ramos from James Campbell High School in Hawaii.
“Laela is a tough girl. Determined, focused, and very coachable,” Ramos added.