Second generation cager Sophia Dignadice, a standout out of Bishop Montgomery HS Girls Varsity team and daughter of former PBA star Yves Dignadice, has been included in the roster of the Gilas Pilipinas women’s squad for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Head coach Patrick Aquino confirmed the news to Pinoystep.com.
“They arrived today (Sunday) and will be joining our practice Monday,” Aquino wrote via Messenger.
In a previous interview, Aquino revealed that the 17-year-old Dignadice is part of the team’s youth movement as the women’s squad need to replenish the pool with younger players.
“I hope she could show to us how really good she is,” added Aquino, who’s been keeping an eye on the younger Dignadice as early as few years ago.
Sophia, who was granted All-Tournament honors in the recent All-Jamboree Tournament, has attracted offers from well-known institutions, including Cal State Northridge and Army West Point US Military Academy.
Recognized as one of the top young women players in California, Sophia caught the fancy of The Trigger Man Alan Caidic, a long-time teammate of the elder Dignadice in the Philippine squad and San Miguel Beer in the PBA.
“I was even telling, ‘Yves, mas magaling pa sa iyo yung anak mo’,” said Caidic. “I was so impressed not just by her skills, but also her basketball IQ.”
A few months ago, Sophia played for the 7 Days Basketball 3SSB 17-Under Basketball team at the Sports Academy Spring Invitational Tournament and showcased her potential.
The inclusion of Dignadice in the Gilas Pilipinas pool was definitely a big development as the squad won’t have players like stalwarts Jack Animam and Ella Fajardo, who are both committed playing for their respective teams overseas.
Animam, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist, is currently playing in the Women’s Japan Basketball League for the Denso Iris squad while Fajardo is seeing action for the Iona University Gaels, an NCAA Division 1 school.
But our country’s cagebelles will be pinning their hopes on some of the holdovers which include Afril Bernardino, the reigning MVP in the WMPBL, who led New Zealand coached by Cholo Villanueva to the title, as well as Gabe Bade, another second generation cager and daughter of former PBA player Cris Bade.
“Her (Afril) role is very important because of her maturity and experience. I’m just happy that the WMPBL has been created and found an avenue for our players, giving them more time and sharing their knowledge there,” added Aquino.
“But it’s going to be tough for us because we cannot use the players na naglalaro sa States because of their schedule. Dito naman sa Manila, because of the UAAP naman. I’m just trying to get as much as possible yung mga players na available and trying to get them ready in the coming games,” said Aquino. “Of course, needless to say, we also need to replenish our roster with younger players.”
Aquino added that he’s still waiting for the organizers of the SEA Games on who among the names from the pool of players submitted will be eligible to play. A rule has been set by the SEA Games organizing committee preventing teams to field in naturalized players, which means Gilas Pilipinas women’s squad won’t also have Vanessa de Jesus, a Filipino-American player from Duke University, who had to play as a naturalized player as she only received Philippine passport after 17 years old.
Photo courtesy of Yves Dignadice’s Facebook
