#SEAGames2019: Historic Gilas gold a springboard for women's basketball to be noticed, says coach Pat

Coach Patrick Aquino ran out of words to say after achieving what could has been thought as impossible, as the Philippines made history by winning their first ever gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games for 5x5 basketball, Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Incredible game. We never stopped," said the six-time UAAP champion with National University, in which he knows that silver medalists Thailand would not give up after almost leaving them for dead early on.

"We were up by 12 in the first/second quarter and then I know Thailand's gonna come back and they did. I was telling the guys to just settle down and just keep what were talked about and just keep on fighting."

And just like their dethronement of Malaysia last Sunday, it was the restart that became their key to their 20-point demolition in which everyone put on by Aquino made a huge mark in sealing their name into that shining medal.

"That's what we did in the third quarter," he said after shutting down Tiffany Bias in that quarter to pave the way for their win.

"Sabi ko lang, just keep calm and stay focused on what we do."

And with the gold already on to their necks, Aquino hopes that the historic feat gives him the ultimate request for everyone.

"Now, we hope na mapansin niyo na kami," he said. "The gold is with us now, not happy for the girls only, but for the whole country and for the women's side of everything."

For him, he hopes that it will be an eye opener for sponsors to pour in and prove that the country is a full-fledged basketball nation with its historic feat, after sweeping both the 3x3 and the full game crowns.

"I really wanted women's basketball to grow. Hopefully sponsors will come in next year and help us out to have a league of their own."

The said lack of exposure before their golden feat made the girls grounded for their quest for glory.

"This girls really worked hard. Walang primadonna. They're gonna play as hard as they can."

An overflow of the press their post-gold medal press conference made Aquino glad that they came a long way from where they are in the UAAP, where the games were played in empty arenas in which tip-off is as early as 8 in the morning.
"Just so happy na may ganitong crowd na andito ngayon," he said while adding the fact that in every post-game press conferences  were just scrums right after the final buzzer.

"Lagi kami naiinterview, kokonti lang kayo. Just glad na napapansin na talaga kami. Sabi ko you could continue supporting and we will continue fighting for everyone, especially for the country."

Photo by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas