MANILA, Philippines — After reclaiming the Southeast Asian Games basketball crown, the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team is aiming higher: a podium finish at the Asian Games.
The Philippines has dominated regional women’s basketball, winning three of the last four SEA Games, but success at the continental level has remained elusive.
National coach Pat Aquino said the team is closing the gap with Asia’s elite. “We just want to get a podium finish in the Asian Games. I think we’re close among our Asian nations because of the Fiba tournaments,” he said Monday during the PSA Awards Night at Diamond Hotel.
Gilas women pushed Asian powerhouse Japan to the limit at last year’s Fiba Asia Cup, losing narrowly, 85-82. The team finished fifth at the 2022 Asian Games, signaling progress.
China has claimed gold five of the last six editions, with South Korea, Japan, and Chinese Taipei rounding out the podium historically. Aquino remains confident his squad can rise to the challenge. “We went through so much before that gold medal, the rule changes, the change in systems, so we’re just grateful we got the gold. We’d like to keep that gold from now on, I think,” he said, referring to their 73-70 win over host Thailand in the 2025 SEA Games final.