By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino-American standout Mai-Loni Henson is expected to make her Gilas Pilipinas women debut next year.
Henson, one of the most highly-touted Fil-Ams by head coach Patrick Aquino from the women’s national team, last played for the Washington Huskies in the NCAA Division I college basketball.
The six-foot-one Gilas prospect produced averages of 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest in her last playing year.
Aside from the NCAA Division I exposure in the US, Henson also had a run with the ALA Le Havre Basket in France.
With the Gilas women looking to prepare ahead of the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam and the 2022 Fiba Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, Henson’s addition will further boost the depth of the Filipinas.
However, Henson will be designated as Gilas women’s naturalized player if she does join the team in the upcoming tournaments.
“For now, ang akin is yung scheduling nila. That’s the most important factor first, na makuha natin yung commitment nila. And then siguro when they’re committed already, then let’s talk about the long term program,” added Aquino.
