MANILA, Philippines — Patrick Aquino has stepped down as head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Women, with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announcing it will begin the search for his successor.
Aquino, who led the national women’s program for more than a decade starting in 2014, will transition into a new role focused on talent identification and grassroots development. He will work alongside program director Norman Black, the SBP said.
SBP President Ricky Vargas thanked Aquino for his contributions, citing his role in elevating women’s basketball in the country, but said the federation is ready to move forward.
Under Aquino’s leadership, Gilas Women captured its first gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019 and went on to secure additional podium finishes, including multiple golds. He also guided the team’s rise to Division A status in FIBA Asia competitions at both the senior and youth levels.
SBP Executive Director Erika Dy said the federation will conduct a thorough selection process for the next head coach, noting that both local and foreign candidates are being considered.
The team is coming off a campaign in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon, France, where it finished with a 1-4 record, highlighted by a historic win over Colombia.
Gilas Women is set to compete next in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in August, followed by the Asian Games in Japan in September.
