MANILA, Philippines – Members of Perlas Pilipinas, headed by coach Patrick Aquino and team manager Wilbert Loa of Blackwater, received a rousing welcome on their return home on Monday, September 7 from the 2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championship in Wuhan, China.
The Philippine national women's basketball team made history by qualifying to the elite level 1 for the first time in the country's women's basketball history. They pulled off a massive upset over India, 82-76, last Friday, September 4 to earn the promotion.
(IN PHOTOS: Perlas Pilipinas defeats India in historic win)
Perlas Pilipinas, ranked 58 by FIBA, earned the shot at promotion by winning Group B of the FIBA Asia with a 4-1 record, defeating North Korea, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan after dropping their opening match to Southeast Asian Games champions Malaysia.
The Philippines will now get to compete against the best female teams in Asia, including Japan, Chinese-Taipei, China and South Korea.
The country will be entered in Group A at FIBA Asia 2017 to compete for a spot at the FIBA Women's World Cup in 2018.
(READ: Pinoy Pride as Arayi, Perlas Pilipinas wow at FIBA Asia)
Heading the Philippine delegation is Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas deputy executive director Bernie Atienza (6th from left in photo). – Rappler.com