Filipino-American Jhanelle De Jesus returns to Philippine national team
Filipino-American player Jhanelle De Jesus announced on Tuesday evening that she will return to play for the Philippines women's national basketball team after a two-year absence.
De Jesus, who is set to join Notre Dame in the US NCAA and recently obtained her Philippine passport, expressed her readiness to help Gilas achieve its goal of securing a spot in the 2026 Women's World Cup through the upcoming Fiba Women's Asia Cup in China.
She highlighted her growth since playing with Duke University and emphasized the importance of unity within the team as they face tough competition from regional powerhouses like Australia, Japan, and Lebanon.
De Jesus noted her desire to contribute after a sixth-place finish in the 2023 Asia Cup Division A and is optimistic about making history for the Philippines.
The guard, who previously scored 12.8 points per game during the 2023 Asia Cup, is excited to join teammates like Jack Animam for upcoming tournaments.
Beyond on-court achievements, De Jesus stressed her appreciation for representing her family and culture on an international stage.
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