What’s next for Gilas Pilipinas Women?
Published on June 20, 2022

After claiming the 5-on-5 basketball gold medal for the second time in a row at the Southeast Asian Games, Gilas Pilipinas Women are moving forward and preparing for the next challenge.

The national women’s team failed to repeat as champions in the 3×3 arena but is hoping for a strong showing in the upcoming  FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022, which will be held in Singapore in July.

Gilas Women head coach Pat Aquino said they are looking to bounce back after a fourth-place finish in the SEA Games.

“We’re really trying to bounce back from what happened in the SEA Games,” said Aquino. “It’s more of a reorganization and new programming of what we’re supposed to do.”

Now that restrictions have loosened up, the 3×3 team finally has ample time to prepare for the next competition. Along with their daily training, they will conduct a mini 3×3 tournament as part of their preparations. The exhibition league will be held every Saturday and will include different players, such as the WNBL 3×3 champions Uratex Dream.

The 3×3 tournament will be a training ground for Gilas Women members, as well as a recruitment platform for new players, and a way for the Gilas women’s 3×3 program to generate points. The 3×3 format requires players to reach a certain number of points gained by joining different tournaments.

Aquino said he has also invited other interested female players to join the 3×3 event.

“Maybe some of the players want to come and join us for practice so we can see,” he said. 

Aquino also shared that Gilas Women received invitations to compete in overseas tournaments in Singapore and Denmark.

“That would be a good follow-up experience for us having to compete with European countries, that’s what we need,” he said.

Aquino and Gilas Pilipinas Women know they have their work cut out for them heading into the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022.

“Sabi ko, ‘Let’s continue on, let’s not stop kasi mahirap yung mag-stop e,” said Aquino. “Let’s try to move on and we can develop our players more. We can focus more on player development.”