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Category: Basketball

  • Rain or Shine secures Anton Asistio, Jun Roque with contract extensions ahead of Governor’s Cup

    Rain or Shine secures Anton Asistio, Jun Roque with contract extensions ahead of Governor’s Cup

    Rain or Shine has moved to secure two pieces of its roster by handing one-year contract extensions to Anton Asistio and Jun Roque.


    The move underscores the Elasto Painters’ commitment to continuity after a campaign that saw them emerge as one of the league’s biggest surprises before falling short of a Finals appearance.

     

    For Asistio, the new deal serves as recognition of the impact he made during Rain or Shine’s impressive Commissioner’s Cup run. The former Ateneo standout became a valuable contributor as the Elasto Painters opened the conference with seven straight victories, eventually finishing as the No. 3 seed.

     

    Rain or Shine went on to eliminate powerhouse San Miguel Beer in the quarterfinals before pushing eventual champion Barangay Ginebra to a highly emotional six-game semifinal series.

     

    While his numbers may not jump off the page, Asistio provided crucial floor spacing and perimeter shooting throughout the conference. He averaged 5.2 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.4 assists per game, while also emerging as one of the league’s most efficient long-range threats. He ranked third in four-point shooting, converting 41.6 percent of his attempts (5-of-12).

     

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    The streak-shooting guard, selected by Rain or Shine in the second round of the 2020 PBA Draft, formalized his extension during a contract signing attended by team governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon and witnessed by his agent Marvin Espiritu of Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management.

     

    Meanwhile, Rain or Shine also sent a strong message about its faith in young talent by renewing rookie forward Jun Roque despite his ongoing recovery from a torn ACL.

     

    Roque quickly earned the trust of head coach Yeng Guiao after becoming available during the Governors’ Cup, carving out a role in the team’s rotation and showing flashes of his potential.

    His promising rookie campaign, however, came to an abrupt halt when he suffered an ACL injury in a game against Magnolia.

     

    Before being sidelined, the 6-foot-4 Letran product averaged 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest, numbers that reflected his growing confidence and increasing responsibilities within the squad.

     

    Roque entered the PBA after helping Letran reach the NCAA Season 101 Finals, where the Knights finished runner-up to San Beda. He was one of two first-round selections made by Rain or Shine in the most recent draft, joining Christian Manaytay, who was chosen at No. 10.

     

    By retaining both Asistio and Roque, the Elasto Painters have chosen to reward both production and potential. One extension recognizes a player who contributed to one of the franchise’s strongest conference performances in recent years, while the other reflects the organization’s belief in a young talent whose development was interrupted by injury.

     

    As Rain or Shine prepares for another shot at contention in the Season 50 Governor’s Cup, the franchise is making sure familiar faces remain part of its plans after a semifinal finish that ended at the hands of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

     

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  • FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    Winning a championship at home was only the beginning.

     

    For Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas, their UAAP titles have now opened the door to a bigger stage as both schools represent the Philippines in the second edition of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore.

     

    The tournament gives the country’s top high school teams a chance to measure themselves against elite youth programs from across Asia, turning what is usually a domestic journey into an international test of growth and development.

     

    For FEU-Diliman, the experience is about more than results.

     

    “We have an expectation to gain a lot from this tournament (because) we’ll be playing international schools,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Allan Albano.

     

    The boys’ squad arrives with added confidence after receiving a boost from Gilas Pilipinas Youth standouts JB Cagurungan and Prince Cariño, who recently helped the national team capture gold in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.

     

    Despite the demanding schedule and the quick turnaround from national team duties, Cariño said he is ready for another challenge.

     

    “My fatigue level is fine. I just maximize my rest and do time management,” Cariño said.

     

    “I just do proper recovery and sleep.”

     

    On the girls’ side, UST enters the competition carrying both excitement and curiosity as the Junior Growling Tigresses prepare to face unfamiliar opponents from around the region.

     

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    Their participation marks another milestone for a program that has steadily established itself among the country’s best.

     

    “I’ve never seen them this excited before. We’re extremely happy and we’re thankful to the NBA for inviting us,” said UST-SHS coach Arsenio Dysangco.

     

    “This is a very big event for us.

     

    “We’re all excited in this program because we have a chance to play against top basketball girls’ programs here in Asia.”

     

    Beyond the games themselves, the tournament also gives young athletes a chance to interact with basketball personalities they have long admired.

     

    Among the notable guests expected to attend are Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, former NBA guard Jeremy Lin, Hall of Fame sharpshooter Mitch Richmond, and WNBA legend Lauren Jackson.

     

    For FEU-Diliman and UST, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational offers something few high school teams experience—a chance to represent both school and country while seeing how their games stack up against the rest of Asia.

     

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  • Fresh from Ginebra’s championship run, Tim Cone trusts Gilas in crucial road tests 

    Fresh from Ginebra’s championship run, Tim Cone trusts Gilas in crucial road tests 

    As Gilas Pilipinas prepares for another daunting stretch in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, head coach Tim Cone is placing his trust in his players.


    The national team enters the third qualification window carrying the weight of recently concluded professional campaigns. Several players are coming off demanding seasons in the PBA and overseas leagues, while Cone himself has just guided Barangay Ginebra San Miguel through a grueling run to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup title.

     

    Yet rather than viewing fatigue as a concern, the veteran coach sees a group that remains eager for one more challenge.

     

    “Well, we know it’s going to be tough. We’re looking forward to it. You know, we’ve been a team that’s pulled surprises before, and I’m not going to be surprised if we pull a surprise,” Cone said.

     

    The Philippines faces arguably its toughest assignment of the qualifying cycle with back-to-back road games against New Zealand on July 3 and Australia on July 6. Gilas has yet to defeat either side in the current World Cup qualifying campaign, falling 69-66 to the Tall Blacks last February and suffering a 93-66 loss to the Boomers in March.

     

    Those results underscore the size of the task ahead, but Cone believes preparation could help narrow the gap.

     

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    The national team will spend valuable time in Brisbane before the qualifiers, allowing the players to adjust to conditions and build cohesion through training and tune-up games.

     

    “But I like the way the SBP has set it up for us in terms of being able to go down to Brisbane and acclimatize ourselves to the weather a little bit, get a camp down there and then play a couple of friendlies against pro New Zealand teams,” the veteran coach added.

     

    At the heart of Gilas’ campaign is a championship-tested core from Ginebra. Best Import of the Conference Justin Brownlee, Best Player of the Conference RJ Abarrientos, and veteran forward Troy Rosario arrive carrying the momentum of their title-winning run.

     

    For Cone, that existing chemistry may prove just as valuable as talent when facing two of Oceania’s basketball powers.

     

    “I’m not tired from the finals. I’m ready to get going, so I think our guys are all ready to get going, too,” Cone said.

     

    Beyond the Ginebra contingent, Gilas will also lean on a mix of established stars and overseas-based standouts. PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo joins Chris Newsome, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Justin Baltazar, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao in a roster designed to blend experience, versatility, and familiarity.

     

    One of the most intriguing additions is Mike Phillips, who steps into an expanded role with Quentin Millora-Brown and Kai Sotto unavailable for the tournament.

     

    Rather than selecting players solely based on individual ability, Cone emphasized that every roster spot is determined by fit within the team’s system.

     

    “We don’t just look at the talent and say, you know, he’s the most talented player there, therefore we’re going to get him. We try to make him come in and fit the puzzle of the vision that we have for the team,” Cone said.

     

    “And Mike does that in terms of his, you know, his name is Motor Mike, and there’s a reason why he’s Motor Mike. It’s very apt, that nickname.”

     

    Despite their recent losses to New Zealand and Australia, Gilas can draw confidence from previous success. The Filipinos defeated New Zealand during the 2024 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, a reminder that the gap can be closed on the right night.

     

    With three Group A spots available in the second round, the upcoming window presents more than just a chance to improve their standing. 

     

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  • Fresh off championship, Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto pay tribute to Rene Baterbonia 

    Fresh off championship, Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto pay tribute to Rene Baterbonia 

    Just days after celebrating a championship, Barangay Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto found themselves in a far different setting.

     

    Instead of continuing the festivities following the Gin Kings’ Commissioner’s Cup triumph, the two PBA veterans traveled to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur to pay their final respects to the late Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia.

     

    Photos and videos shared online showed Thompson and Pinto visiting Baterbonia’s wake on Tuesday, joining family, friends, and members of the basketball community mourning the loss of one of Mindanao’s promising young talents.

     

    Baterbonia died alongside Nigerian teammate Divine Adili in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Aurora earlier this month.

     

    Their visit came only days after Thompson and Pinto helped Barangay Ginebra secure the Commissioner’s Cup championship by defeating TNT in a winner-take-all Game 7.

     

    For many, the gesture reflected the close ties that often connect athletes beyond leagues, teams, and levels of competition.

     

    “Thank you so much my brother Scottie and Nards for visiting and paying respect to Bobet and his family,” said Baterbonia’s high school coach Jess Evangelio.

     

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    “We know you should be celebrating your championship today, but nevertheless, you still took the time to stop by and share our grief.

     

    “We are very grateful and very much appreciate your kindness and support,” added Evangelio on social media.

     

    Thompson and Pinto were joined by Thompson’s wife Jinky and actress Sofia Andres as they visited the wake on the eve of Baterbonia’s burial.

     

    The visit carried added meaning given their shared roots. Thompson and Pinto both hail from Davao, where Baterbonia first made a name for himself as a standout player for Ateneo de Davao before continuing his basketball journey at Ateneo de Manila University.

     

    While championships often define careers, Thompson and Pinto’s trip to Agusan del Sur served as a reminder that some moments transcend the game itself.

     

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  • Juan Gomez de Liano reunites with familiar faces in Gilas call-up 

    Juan Gomez de Liano reunites with familiar faces in Gilas call-up 

    Juan Gomez de Liano’s  latest Gilas Pilipinas call-up is about more than replacing an injured player on the roster.

     

    It is also about reconnecting with teammates whose basketball journeys have been intertwined with his for years.

     

    After being named as Scottie Thompson’s replacement for Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Gomez de Liano finds himself sharing the national team locker room once again with Justine Baltazar and RJ Abarrientos—two players who were part of a memorable chapter in Gilas history.

     

    “Super excited,” he said during the team’s send-off press conference at the FilOil Centre.

     

    The trio were members of the young Gilas squad assembled by Tab Baldwin in 2021, a team that earned praise for its performances in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and later competed in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia.

     

    While that group has since gone its separate ways across different leagues and teams, Window 3 offers a rare opportunity to bring those connections back together.

     

    Among the reunions, Gomez de Liano’s partnership with Baltazar may be the most familiar.

    The two first became teammates during the Asia Cup Qualifiers bubble in Bahrain at the height of the pandemic. Years later, they now share the same colors once more—not only in Gilas but also with Converge in the PBA.

     

    Having spent significant time together on the court, Gomez de Liano believes that chemistry could prove valuable for the national team.

     

    “The last time we represented the country was when we went to Bahrain during the pandemic,” recalled the former KBL and B.League import.

     

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    “Now we’re teammates not just with Gilas but in Converge in the PBA.

     

    “Super excited. I’m very familiar with how he plays; I know his spots, I know how to get him going. Just blessed to be here with Balti as well.”

     

    Abarrientos brings a different dynamic to the reunion.

     

    The two recently found themselves on opposite sides of a heated PBA playoff battle, with Abarrientos helping Barangay Ginebra capture the Commissioner’s Cup championship after an impressive conference that earned him Best Player of the Conference honors.

     

    Now, instead of competing against each other, they will work toward the same goal.

     

    Gomez de Liano believes Abarrientos’ growth since their previous Gilas stint has made him an even more valuable piece for the national team.

     

    “The impact RJ brings, he won the Best Player of the Conference this last conference,” Gomez de Liano said.

     

    “He’s very smart, and he creates for others as well. I think we play really well together … Super excited.”

     

    As Gilas prepares for difficult road assignments against New Zealand and Australia, familiarity may become one of its biggest strengths.

     

    For Gomez de Liano, the upcoming qualifiers represent another opportunity to contribute to the national team. But they also serve as a reminder of how far he and his fellow 2021 Gilas standouts have come—from promising young prospects to established professionals now being called upon once again to represent the country on the international stage.

     

     

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  • Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to Heat after 13 seasons with Bucks 

    Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to Heat after 13 seasons with Bucks 

    Milwaukee spent years insisting that Giannis Antetokounmpo was untouchable. Even as speculation surfaced almost every offseason, the Bucks remained committed to building around the player who transformed the franchise into a perennial contender.

     

    This summer, that stance changed.

     

    The Bucks have agreed to trade Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal that closes one of the most successful chapters in franchise history and signals the beginning of a new era for both organizations.

     

    For Milwaukee, the move is less about losing a superstar and more about confronting a reality that had been building for months. Injuries, roster uncertainty, and a disappointing 2025-26 campaign forced the franchise to reassess its future around a 31-year-old cornerstone who had carried the team for more than a decade.

     

    The return reflects that shift.

     

    Milwaukee acquires Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, three future first-round picks, a first-round swap, and a second-round selection while also sending Bobby Portis to Miami. The package gives the Bucks a combination of young talent, draft capital, and roster flexibility as they begin life after Antetokounmpo.

     

    The trade ends a remarkable 13-year partnership that reshaped basketball in Milwaukee.

     

    Selected 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Antetokounmpo arrived as a little-known prospect from Greece and developed into the face of the franchise. He became a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, an NBA champion, Finals MVP, and the unquestioned centerpiece of the Bucks’ most successful modern era.

     

    By the time he leaves, Antetokounmpo owns virtually every major franchise record, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, games played, and minutes.

     

    His defining moment came during Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, highlighted by a legendary 50-point performance in the title-clinching Game 6 against Phoenix. It delivered the Bucks their first NBA championship in 50 years and cemented Antetokounmpo’s legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history.

     

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    Yet the final years of that partnership became increasingly complicated.

     

    Milwaukee struggled to maintain its championship footing, and Antetokounmpo’s injury-plagued 2025-26 season raised fresh questions about the team’s trajectory. Limited to just 36 games, he missed All-NBA honors for the first time in nearly a decade.

     

    His frustrations also became more visible.

     

    “I want to be here, but I want to be here to win, not fighting for my life to make the playoffs,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic before last season’s trade deadline.

     

    The Bucks ultimately chose not to move him at the time, but the possibility never disappeared. Following another turbulent season, a coaching change, and mounting uncertainty surrounding the roster, Milwaukee finally reached the conclusion it had spent years trying to avoid.

     

    For Miami, the move fulfills an aggressive pursuit that stretched back to the trade deadline.

     

    Team president Pat Riley publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Heat’s direction after missing the playoffs and made it clear the franchise intended to pursue major upgrades.

     

    “I’m really pissed,” Riley said after the season. “I’m disappointed. Disgruntled, just like everyone else in the organization who understands what we’re about.”

     

    “We’re not good enough, and we’re not happy with it. And I think this is the first time in three years we can do something about it.”

     

    Now, the Heat have their answer.

     

    Antetokounmpo joins a franchise that believes it can immediately return to championship contention, while Miami gains one of the league’s most accomplished players as it searches for its first title since 2013.

     

    The deal may still evolve before it becomes official in July, but one thing is already certain.

     

    The Giannis Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee is over, and one of the most significant player-franchise partnerships of the modern NBA has reached its end.

     

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  • Kacey Dela Rosa earns CPC citation after breakout year with Gilas Women 

    Kacey Dela Rosa earns CPC citation after breakout year with Gilas Women 

    Kacey Dela Rosa’s collegiate career has already been filled with individual awards and memorable performances, but it was her impact beyond the UAAP that ultimately set her apart this year.

     

    The Ateneo standout will receive a special citation during the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night presented by Strong Group Athletics, recognizing a year in which she emerged as one of the most important figures in Philippine women’s basketball.

     

    While many athletes spend their offseason recovering from the grind of collegiate competition, Dela Rosa used hers to help push Gilas Pilipinas to new heights across multiple international tournaments.

     

    The recognition comes after another stellar season with Ateneo, where the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player helped steer the Blue Eagles to a bronze-medal finish in UAAP Season 88. But her biggest accomplishments came after the collegiate campaign ended.

     

    With Gilas Women, Dela Rosa proved she could thrive on bigger stages and under greater responsibility.

     

    Last December, she stepped into a crucial role during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, helping the Philippines reclaim the women’s basketball gold medal. Tasked with anchoring the middle in the absence of longtime national team pillar Jack Animam, Dela Rosa helped keep the Filipinas on top of the regional podium.

     

    Her rise continued at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France, where the Philippines earned its first-ever victory in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament by defeating Colombia.

     

    Dela Rosa was at the center of that breakthrough, finishing as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 15.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

     

    Yet her influence extended beyond the traditional five-player game.

     

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    The 6-foot-2 forward became one of the cornerstones of Gilas Women’s 3×3 program during a historic stretch that saw the Philippines establish new milestones in the discipline.

     

    She played a key role in the country’s silver-medal finish at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, the best result ever achieved by the Philippine women’s team in the continental tournament. Across five games, she averaged 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds while helping the Filipinas reach the championship round.

     

    That momentum carried over into the World Cup qualifying tournament in Singapore, where Gilas secured another berth in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

     

    Most recently, Dela Rosa was part of the squad that delivered another historic moment in Warsaw, Poland. Alongside Afril Bernardino, Camille Clarin, and Mikka Cacho, she helped the Philippines notch its first-ever victory in the Women’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup with a breakthrough win over Italy.

     

    Those achievements transformed Dela Rosa from a dominant collegiate player into one of the country’s most impactful international performers.

     

    The CPC’s special citation serves as recognition of a year in which she successfully bridged both worlds—continuing to excel in the UAAP while helping Gilas Women rewrite pieces of Philippine basketball history.

     

    Dela Rosa will be honored alongside the best performers from the UAAP and NCAA in basketball, volleyball, and football during the annual awards ceremony at Discovery Suites Manila.

     

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  • Jordon Varnado returns to Meralco, strengthens Bolts’ Governors’ Cup bid 

    Jordon Varnado returns to Meralco, strengthens Bolts’ Governors’ Cup bid 

    When Meralco began searching for its import for the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, it didn’t have to look far.

     

    Instead of gambling on an unfamiliar name, the Bolts turned to someone who already knows the system, the locker room, and the expectations that come with playing for the franchise.

     

    Jordon Varnado is officially back with Meralco, giving the club a reinforcement it already trusts as it chases a breakthrough trip to the PBA Finals.

     

    The move continues a pattern that has become a hallmark of Meralco’s roster-building strategy. Rather than constantly searching for new imports, the Bolts have increasingly relied on players who have previously represented the organization in international competitions.

     

    Varnado was one of those pieces.

     

    The 29-year-old American played a key role for Meralco during the Basketball Champions League Asia 2025, where he averaged 19.7 points and 10.0 rebounds in three games. His production helped steer the Bolts into the quarterfinals before their campaign ended in a narrow defeat to Mongolia’s XAC Broncos, who eventually claimed the bronze medal.

     

    Now, a year after helping Meralco compete on the regional stage, Varnado returns with a different mission.

     

    His arrival addresses a major need for a team that has consistently remained among the league’s contenders but has struggled to take the final step. The Bolts reached the semifinals in both conferences this season, only to be denied each time by TNT.

     

    That experience has shaped Meralco’s approach entering the Governors’ Cup.

     

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    Instead of making sweeping changes, the franchise is leaning on continuity and familiarity, believing Varnado can provide an immediate impact because of his previous experience with the organization.

     

    The Tennessee native also arrives with an extensive international résumé, most recently suiting up for Israeli club Bnei Penlink Herzliya.

     

    His return comes as teams across the league finalize their import selections for the season-ending conference.

     

    Blackwater has already secured the services of 2024 Indonesian Basketball League MVP Kentrell Barkley, while Phoenix is set to bring in former NBA player BJ Johnson.

     

    For Meralco, however, the decision was less about finding the biggest name available and more about bringing back a player who already understands the culture the team is trying to build.

     

    With Varnado returning to the fold, the Bolts are hoping familiarity can become one of their biggest advantages as they pursue a deeper playoff run and a long-awaited championship opportunity.

     

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  • Gilas Women’s Vanessa De Jesus finds new path in WKBL with Busan BNK after WNBA draft miss

    Gilas Women’s Vanessa De Jesus finds new path in WKBL with Busan BNK after WNBA draft miss

    Vanessa De Jesus’ journey to professional basketball has taken another major turn. After chasing a dream on one of the biggest stages in women’s basketball through the WNBA Draft, the Gilas Pilipinas Women standout is now set to begin a new chapter in South Korea’s Women’s Korean Basketball League (WKBL).


    The Filipino-American guard will make her professional debut with Busan BNK Sum in the 2026–27 season, bringing with her the experience of competing at the collegiate and international levels.

     

    De Jesus spent five seasons playing for Duke University before finishing her college career with Notre Dame. She later declared for the 2026 WNBA Draft, hoping to become one of the newest players to break into the world’s premier women’s basketball league, but ultimately went undrafted.

     

    For De Jesus, the move to Busan comes as BNK looks to bounce back after a difficult 2025–26 season. The club, which won the 2024–25 WKBL championship, finished fifth the following year and fell short of another deep playoff run.

     

    With De Jesus entering the lineup, BNK gains a guard who has experience playing in high-pressure environments. Her presence could provide a boost in ball movement, perimeter scoring, and leadership as the team aims to return to championship contention.

     

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    The 5-foot-8 guard has already built a strong connection with the Philippines, representing Gilas Women in two editions of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. 

     

    Her ability to create plays, handle pressure, and compete against elite international opponents made her one of the notable names in the national team pool.

     

    Joining De Jesus in the WKBL is fellow Gilas Women standout Alexis Pana, who is set to suit up for defending champion Cheongju KB Stars.

     

    Pana arrives in South Korea with a résumé shaped by years of international exposure. The 5-foot-9 guard has played professionally in Romania, Germany, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and Australia, giving her valuable experience across different styles of basketball.

     

    The Filipino-Hawaiian guard also made her mark closer to home, leading Pilipinas Aguilas during the inaugural WMPBL tournament two years ago. 

     

    She also represented Gilas Pilipinas Women in the 2025 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, adding another layer to her international background.

     

    Pana joins a Cheongju KB Stars team coming off a title-winning campaign in the 2025–26 WKBL season. The reigning champions add another versatile guard who can contribute defensively while also bringing international maturity to an already competitive roster.

     

    The arrival of De Jesus and Pana highlights the growing pathway for Filipino women’s basketball players overseas. Their WKBL move is not just another professional opportunity, it is another step in expanding the presence of Gilas Women talents on the Asian basketball stage.

     

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  • Mike Phillips reaches Gilas milestone, reflects on recovery journey 

    Mike Phillips reaches Gilas milestone, reflects on recovery journey 

    Long before Mike Phillips earned a spot in Gilas Pilipinas’ Final 12, he was confronting a possibility far more daunting than facing Australia or New Zealand.

     

    There was a time when simply continuing his basketball career was uncertain.

     

    As the national team prepares for a crucial window in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Phillips arrives not just as another addition to the roster but as one of its most remarkable stories.

     

    The 24-year-old forward’s inclusion in the squad represents years of persistence, recovery, and belief after a series of setbacks that once threatened to end his basketball journey altogether.

    During Gilas Pilipinas’ send-off press conference, Phillips reflected on the road that brought him to this point.

     

    “Napakasaya na kasama ako sa Gilas na ito,” Phillips said.

     

    “Madaming full-circle moments sa buhay ko ngayon.”

     

    The phrase “full-circle” carries particular significance for Phillips.

     

    Before becoming one of the most energetic and reliable frontcourt players in Philippine basketball, he endured five brain injuries suffered during high school and college. Those incidents led to difficult conversations about his future in the sport.

     

    “Naalala ko lang ‘yung sinabi ng doctor ko after I had five brain injuries,” he shared.

    “Sabi niya, baka hindi ka na makapaglaro ng basketball.”

     

    Instead of becoming the final chapter of his basketball career, those words now serve as a reminder of how far he has come.

     

    Today, Phillips is preparing to represent the Philippines in one of the sport’s most prestigious international competitions.

     

    “Pero ngayon po, makakapaglaro para sa bansa natin,” he said.

     

    “Talagang ‘yung dahilan ko kung bakit ako nandito ay si God po.”

     

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    “’Yung pagkakataon na ‘yun po, malaking blessing talaga so gusto ko talaga sulitin at tutulungan ko ‘yung team in any way I can.”

     

    His call-up carries additional meaning because this is the opportunity he had been working toward for years.

     

    Phillips previously suited up for Gilas during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, but becoming eligible as a local player and earning a place in the senior national team’s FIBA campaign was always the bigger objective.

     

    “Malaking bagay po kasi ‘yung Gilas talaga, ‘yun ‘yung big time,” he said.

     

    “So, maging local talaga ‘yung pangarap ko, at ‘yun ‘yung pinagtatrabahuhan namin ilang years na.”

     

    Now part of a roster that blends established veterans with emerging talent, Phillips believes the team’s chemistry will be one of its strengths as it heads into challenging road games against New Zealand and Australia.

     

    “Maganda din po ‘yung samahan namin,” he said.

     

    “May mga old faces, new faces, so maganda ‘yung mix ng mga rookies tsaka beterano sa team.”

    For Phillips, the upcoming qualifiers are about more than wins, losses, or standings.

     

    They are another reminder that a career once placed in doubt has evolved into something far greater than he imagined.

     

    From hearing that he might never play again to wearing the national colors on the international stage, Phillips’ journey has become one of the most inspiring stories inside the Gilas Pilipinas program.

     

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