Gilas Pilipinas U16 Women face defending champion Australia on Monday, September 22, at the start of the 2025 FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup at the Seremban Arena in Malaysia.

The Philippines, coached by veteran mentor Julie Amos, is bracketed in tough Group A with Division 1 powerhouse teams Australia, Chinese-Taipei, and South Korea. Gilas takes on the Taiwanese on September 23 and the Koreans on September 24.

Comprising the Gilas U16 Women’s team are Tifanny Anne Reyes, Ryann Victoria Roman, Ruiza Jhane Olmos, Zia Jan Onate, Maria Zuzzane Singson, Alyza Gozon, Makena Ramos, Zaira Anne Michelle Vinluan, Brianne Faye Katigbak, Ella Adorada Smith, Olivia Addison Molina, and Sofia Alessandra Martinez.

At least one win out of three games would ensure that Gilas stays in Division A, which also has Japan, China, New Zealand. and Syria in contention.

In Division B are Samoa, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Hong Kong, Tonga, and Uzbekistan; all eager to get a shot at promotion to the top division.

The U16 Women’s Asia Cup is the qualifier for the 2026 U17 Women’s World Cup in Brno, Czech Republic.