Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 30) – US-born Filipina cager Mai-Loni Henson is one of the Filipino American prospects who will take part in the Gilas Pilipinas Women tryouts on June 5-6.
Henson, fresh from her first professional season in France with the Al Aplemont club, said her attendance in the national team tryouts will provide an avenue for her to help in the advancement of women’s basketball in the Philippines.
“Basketball-wise, I just want to help the team as much as I can in any way possible. But I think the main thing is just kind of taking advantage of the opportunity and really trying to put Filipino women’s basketball on the map,” said Henson.
The 6-foot-1 San Diego, California native played four seasons with the University of Washington Huskies, where they reached the US NCAA Division I every year. In Henson’s rookie year during the 2016-17 season, the Huskies went to the Sweet Sixteen round, only to be defeated by Mississippi State.
Henson, born to Filipino parents Eric and Jean, had her most productive season with the Huskies in her sophomore year where she averaged 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. She was the team’s second-best scorer in that season.
Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Pat Aquino will oversee the tryouts, organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Fil-Am Nation Select. Also expected to vie for national team slots are National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Most Valuable Player Stefanie Berberabe and Duke University standout Vanessa de Jesus.
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Aquino is tasked to gather the best Filipina cagers to defend its championship in the 31st Southeast Asian Games slated in November in Hanoi, Vietnam.
