Fil-Am Laela Mateo hopes to make it in Gilas Pilipinas

The number of aspiring US-based Filipino players, even in women’s basketball, who want to be part of the Philippine Gilas squad continued to grow.

Eight Filipino American squads, each composed of 10 players, are currently in Manila participating in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC). They hope to impress local sports agents and the big boss of the Samahang Basketball 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 feet 7 inches and could play effectively in both guard and shooting guard positions.

“If I have a chance, I want to play and represent the Philippines in the international competition. It’s a dream I shared with my father, so I try my best to make it there,” said Mateo shortly after a closed 45-46 loss of her Fil-Am 2 team against local squad Young Queen’s in Tuesday’s morning session game.

In the afternoon match, Mateo’s cat-quick moves and touch in the long distance were 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 cross-over play that put her team in a safe three-point lead going to the final 60 seconds.

Laela’s crucial offensive pay 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’ve Got to play my best. I just need 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,” she added.