Gilas women’s program bares next steps following triumphant FIBA U18 Asia Cup bid

MANILA, Philippines – The hard work continues for the successful Gilas women’s program following its masterful conquest of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China last week.

Program director Pat Aquino said the Gilas women (senior) takes over when they see action in the Jones Cup in Taiwan set July 13-21 and the pre-qualifiers for the next FIBA World Cup set in Rwanda scheduled August 19-25.

“Then there’s the next SEA Games (2025). Kailangan makuha ulit natin ang gold sa SEA Games,” Aquino told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Aquino and head coach Julie Amos graced the forum along with members of the U18 team that swept Division B of the Asia Cup and earned a spot in Division A for 2026.

The development was welcome news for the Gilas program after its senior team, the Gilas women, previously made it to Division A as well as the U16 team in the Asia Cup.

“This is the future of our women’s basketball. Tingin ko wala na akong problema for the next years or so. We should continue the program for the 16-under and 18-under with the help of SBP (Sahahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy,” added Aquino.

However, Amos, a former key player for the national team, said all but one of the members of this U18 team will no longer be eligible for 2026.

“Isa na lang ang matititra (Tiffany Reyes) so I hope the SBP continues to help us,” she said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.

“But we have a good problem because more players are asking how they can join the team. It’s just a matter of identifying the talents that will fit the program,” Amos said.

Moving up to Division A for the U18 team was not a complete surprise, according to Aquino.

“We were expecting it. I knew the girls can do it. And it’s a mark for us now around Asia that we can play against the level of China, Japan and Korea,” he said of the campaign in Shenzhen where the Gilas girls went undefeated including a convincing win over Lebanon in the final.

Among the players who graced the forum were team captain Ava Fajardo, Naomi Panganiban, Margarette Duenas, Sophia Canindo, Gabby Ramos, Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Alicia Villanueva and Audrey Lapasaran, Ashlyn Abong, Jolzyne Impreso, and Venice Quinte. With them was former champion coach Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to the SBP president.

Aquino said it’s bittersweet that most of the U18 players that ruled the Shenzhen meet will no longer be eligible for the 2026 edition.

“I hope that someday they can all represent the senior team,” he said.

“And hopefully we’ll find new faces na magpapatuloy sa ating mga programa. Pero mas malaki na yung pool natin. Lumalaki ng lumalaki,” Aquino added.