This 2025, expect the spotlight to be on the Gilas Pilipinas Women Team.
SBP executive director Erika Dy said their hopes are high on the Filipina dribblers after posting encouraging results last year, including a razor-thin 73-74 loss to powerhouse Brazil in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Ryanda last August.
Dy said they are very happy with how the program under noted women’s coach Patrick Aquino is running, boosting their chances in major international competitions in the brand-new year.
2024 proved to be a memorable one for the Gilas Women. The gritty group finished fourth in the 43rd William Jones Cup with a 2-3 win-loss record last July. Also, key players like Ava Fajardo, Sophia Canindo, Ariel de la O were given a golden opportunity to participate in the Basketball Without Borders in Perth, Australia last September.
The U18 squad also showed progress after beating Lebanon, 95-64, in the final of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup in China to earn promotion to Division A.
With competitions such as the Jones Cup, FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in China and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this year, Aquino believes that his girls will be able to go above and beyond against the best cagers in the continent.
With additional report: The Daily Tribune, Ivan Suing
