Gilas Pilipinas women set sights on Jones Cup after U18 success Trending Global News

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas women’s program continues to work hard for success after their stunning triumph at the FIBA ​​U-18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China last week.

Program director Pat Aquino said the Gilas women (senior) team will participate in the Jones Cup on July 13-21 in Taiwan and the pre-qualifiers for the next FIBA ​​World Cup on August 19-25 in Rwanda.

“Then next is the SEA Games (2025). Hopefully we will win the gold medal in the SEA Games,” Aquino said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Read: Gilas girls beat Lebanon to win promotion to Division A

Aquino and head coach Julie Amos were present on stage with members of the Under-18 team, which won Division B of the Asia Cup and clinched a spot in Division A for 2026.

This development is welcome news for the Gilas program as its senior team, Gilas Women, has already made it to Division A as well as the Under 16 team in the Asia Cup.

“This is the future of our women's basketball. This problem will remain for the next few years. We must continue the programs for the 16-under and 18-under with the help of SBP (Sahahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) president Al Panelo and executive director Erica Dy,” Aquino said.

However, former national team key player Amos said all except one member of the Under-18 squad will no longer be eligible for 2026.

“This is what I always wanted (Tiffany Reyes) so I hope the SBP will continue to help us,” she said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT and ArenaPlus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.

READ: Tough draw for Gilas Women in FIBA ​​World Prequalifiers

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

According to Aquino, the U-18 team’s elevation to Division A was not a complete surprise.

“We expected it. I knew the girls could do it. And it's a mark for us in Asia that we can play against the level of China, Japan and Korea,” he said of the campaign in Shenzhen where the Gilas girls remained undefeated, including a stunning win over Lebanon in the final.

Among the players who attended the forum were team captains Ava Fajardo, Naomi Panganiban, Margaret Duenas, Sophia Canindo, Gabby Ramos, Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Alicia Villanueva and Audrey Lapasaran, Ashlyn Abong, Jolzin Impreso and Venice Quinte. They were accompanied by former champion coach Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to the SBP president.

Aquino said it was sad that most of the under-18 players who topped the Shenzhen meet would no longer be eligible for the 2026 edition.

He said, “I hope that one day they will all be able to represent the senior team.”

“And hopefully, we will find new faces in the program. But we are still in the pool. Lumalaki ng lumalaki,” Aquino said.