Another Ilongga athlete is making a name in the hardcourt.

Karl Ann Pinggol, a pride of Pototan, Iloilo, was included in the Gilas Pilipinas Women that will compete in the much-anticipated 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 in Amman, Jordan.

Pinggol, a rookie who decided to banner the National University colors like her sister Kaye, spent her senior high school doning the Chiang Kai Shek College jersey. She was also part of the team when they won gold for the country during an ASEAN School Games tournament.

The sisters admitted that they were late bloomers in women’s basketball as they only learned the sport during their stint with Pototan National High School under coach Stephen Guanco.

“It’s my pleasure and honor being chosen as one of the Gilas Women. I’m preparing for the tournament and develop my dribbling and making sure to have a consistent workout and enough sleep,” Pinggol shared to IMT Sports.

The 19-year-old Pinggol also shared that this was really her dream and she can’t imagine how she did it, that at this young age, she got to be included in the team.

“At a young age, it’s really good na makuha ako and mabigyan ng opportunity na ma represent ang Philippines. I really work hard and I keep pushing myself to be better and para ma reach ko yung dream ko and eto na to,” she added.

Before, Pinggol shared she’s not into sports, instead, you can see her at computer shops playing online games with friends and cousins. She said the opportunity will help her enhance her skills, especially that they will be playing against top athletes in the country and as a person, it will help her build her character to soon lead the team.

“As a rookie in the team, I’m looking forward to get along with my teammates and coaches and the things I really looking forward to is syempre yung makabalik na sa court with my other teammates sobrang nakakamiss lalo makalaro na ulit ng basketball after how many months na lockdown and for the tournament, we know this was different na because we will represent the Philippines and hopefully na we can make the best out of it, narrated Pinggol.

Aside from the Ilongga cager, the new entries to the women’s senior team are incoming Fairleigh Dickinson freshman Ella Fajardo and Pinggol’s National U teammates Kristine Cayabyab and Camille Clarin,

Being the jack of all trade, Afril Bernardino banners the roster, along with Chack Cabinbin, Khate Castillo, Clare Castro, Ria Nabalan, Janine Pontejos, Mar Prado, and Andrea Tongco.

Jack Animam, a pillar of the national team, just inked a contract to play as an import for Radnicki Kragujevac in Serbia and will not be joining the squad.IMT