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Tag: Gilas Pilipinas Women Youth

  • Sandy Arespacochaga credits Sophia Dignadice for setting the tone for Gilas Girls after sweeping SEABA qualifiers 

    Sandy Arespacochaga credits Sophia Dignadice for setting the tone for Gilas Girls after sweeping SEABA qualifiers 

    Championship teams are often remembered for their stars, but the strongest programs are usually built around something less visible.

     

    For Gilas Pilipinas Girls, that foundation may have emerged in the form of Sophia Dignadice.

    The numbers certainly tell part of the story. 

     

    Dignadice averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds during the FIBA U-18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers, helping the Philippines complete a flawless 4-0 campaign and secure a berth in next year’s Division A tournament in Malaysia.

     

    Yet for head coach Sandy Arespacochaga, her greatest contribution was not measured in points, assists, or rebounds.

     

    It was the example she set for everyone around her.

     

    “It helps that your best player, your most veteran player in Sophia Dignadice, is unselfish as the last person,” Arespacochaga told reporters following Gilas Girls’ qualification campaign.

     

    The veteran coach believes that attitude became one of the driving forces behind the team’s dominant run.

     

    “She’s also the biggest cheerleader. Kahit na starter siya or nasa bench siya, she cheers on the last player of the bench,” he added.

     

    That leadership was on full display throughout the tournament.

     

    Whether directing traffic on offense, setting up teammates, or encouraging players from the sidelines, Dignadice became a stabilizing presence for a young national team learning how to win together.

     

    She closed out the qualifiers with another productive outing, tallying 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists in an 88-62 victory over Indonesia, a result that completed the Philippines’ unbeaten campaign.

     

    But while Dignadice provided the leadership, she was hardly alone in carrying the load. 

     

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    Tournament MVP Rhiane Perez delivered dominant performances throughout the competition, while Tiffany Reyes and co-captain Brianna Katigbak played major roles in a squad that overwhelmed opponents by an average margin of 36.3 points.

     

    Together, they helped establish an identity that extended beyond talent alone.

     

    “Our girls really played well. Each and every game, they played well defensively and we shared the ball a lot. It’s very important to us to build an identity moving forward for this program,” Arespacochaga said.

     

    That identity, according to the coach, was one of the biggest victories of the tournament.

     

    Beyond securing qualification, the campaign offered an opportunity to lay the groundwork for the future of the Gilas Girls program — one built on teamwork, discipline, and collective sacrifice.

     

    “The girls were a pleasure to coach. They’re good and fearless. It was a collaboration of all the girls and a concentrated effort, and I’d like to commend the girls for that,” he said.

     

    For Dignadice, the qualifiers reinforced why she has become one of the most trusted leaders in the youth national team setup.

     

    The daughter of former PBA star Yves Dignadice and already a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, she entered the tournament as one of the squad’s most experienced players. She leaves it having helped shape the culture of a group hoping to compete with Asia’s elite.

    The next challenge will be significantly tougher.

     

    With Division A competition awaiting in Malaysia, Gilas Girls will soon face the continent’s strongest programs. But after dominating Southeast Asia and establishing a clear identity, the Filipinas believe they have taken an important first step.

     

    And much of that foundation was built by a leader whose influence reached far beyond the box score.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Girls storm to perfect campaign in FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers

    Gilas Pilipinas Girls storm to perfect campaign in FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers

    The mission may have already been accomplished before the opening tip, but the Gilas Pilipinas Girls made sure to leave no doubt about who ruled the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers 2026.


    The young Filipinas capped a flawless campaign with an 88-62 victory over Indonesia on Saturday, completing a four-game sweep and stamping their status as one of Southeast Asia’s premier youth programs heading into the continental tournament.

     

    The championship-clinching performance was a fitting conclusion to a week of dominance in Bacolod, where Gilas overwhelmed every opponent it faced and won all four games by an average margin of 36.25 points.

     

    Leading the charge once again was Tournament MVP Rhiane Perez, who delivered 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal in the finale. 

     

    Sophia Dignadice provided another all-around effort with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while Tiffany Reyes added 12 points and Zuzzane Singson chipped in 11.

     

    The hosts wasted little time asserting control, turning an early advantage into a 25-14 lead after the first quarter before unleashing a second-quarter barrage that pushed the gap to 57-28 by halftime.

     

    Any hopes of an Indonesian comeback quickly disappeared after the break as Gilas stretched the lead to 64-30 early in the third quarter. The Philippines eventually built a 34-point cushion and cruised through the final stages of the contest.

     

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    Indonesia, which entered the game unbeaten as well, found itself overwhelmed by the depth and pace of the Gilas Girls. Angelina Welly scored 18 points to lead the Indonesians, while Joanne Giovanni contributed 11 points, three rebounds, and a steal.

     

    The victory capped a remarkable tournament run for Gilas, which opened with a 93-42 dismantling of Vietnam before defeating Singapore, 83-53, and routing Thailand, 86-48.

     

    With the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup set to be held in Malaysia, Gilas heads into the continental meet carrying significant momentum after producing one of the most convincing performances of any team in the region.

     

    Meanwhile, Malaysia will automatically compete in Division A as tournament host, while Singapore secured the SEABA berth for the Division B competition after finishing third in the qualifiers with a 2-2 record.

     

    Indonesia, relegated from Division A following the 2024 edition, will look to regain its place in the top division when it competes in the Division B tournament scheduled from July 13 to 19 in Bangkok, Thailand.

     

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  • Gilas Girls set up title-deciding clash with Indonesia after crushing Thailand 

    Gilas Girls set up title-deciding clash with Indonesia after crushing Thailand 

    The 2026 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers have quickly turned into a two-team race, and the stage is now set for a winner-take-all showdown.


    Gilas Pilipinas Girls continued their commanding run in the regional tournament after dismantling Thailand, 86-48, on Thursday at the STI West Negros University Gym in Bacolod, extending their unbeaten streak to three games and moving within one win of the SEABA crown.

     

    With Indonesia also preserving its spotless record earlier in the day, Saturday’s meeting between the two squads will determine the tournament champion and the region’s representative moving forward.

     

    The Filipinas have barely been challenged throughout the competition. They opened with a 93-42 demolition of Vietnam before dispatching Singapore, 83-53. Against Thailand, Gilas delivered perhaps its most complete performance yet, seizing control from the opening minutes and never allowing the Thais any chance to recover.

     

    Lea Pinuela spearheaded the balanced attack with 16 points on 50-percent shooting while adding five rebounds and two assists. Ruiza Olmos made the most of her limited floor time, scoring 11 points on a perfect shooting night in just 13 minutes.

     

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    Tiffany Reyes and Zia Onate chipped in nine points each, with Onate also contributing five assists and three rebounds. Sophia Dignadice orchestrated the offense with eight points and eight assists, while Zaydhen Rosano and Rhiane Perez supplied seven and six points, respectively. Perez also controlled the glass with 10 rebounds.

     

    The depth of the Gilas roster continued to be one of its biggest strengths as every player once again managed to score, marking the third consecutive game in which the entire lineup contributed offensively.

     

    Unlike their previous victories, where opponents managed to stay within striking distance early, the Filipinas wasted no time asserting themselves against Thailand. Gilas raced to a 14-2 lead and closed the first quarter comfortably ahead, 20-6.

     

    The defensive pressure only intensified as the game progressed. Thailand struggled to generate quality looks and was held to just nine points in the third quarter, allowing the hosts to stretch the gap to 67-33 entering the final period.

     

    Thailand, which dropped to 0-2, could not produce a double-digit scorer. Kanyaphat Hookee and Paweetida Chanasimma led the team with nine points apiece as the Thais remained tied with Singapore at the bottom of the standings.

     

    While Gilas enjoyed another dominant win, Indonesia sent a message of its own earlier in the day.

    The Indonesians rolled past Vietnam, 81-32, to improve to 2-0 and keep pace with the Philippines atop the standings.

     

    Richelle Widjaja scored 14 points to lead Indonesia, while Mabekou Talla Valerie posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Praisey Blessed delivered an all-around effort with eight points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals.

     

    Vietnam absorbed its second straight defeat and slipped to 1-2. With both contenders yet to taste defeat and each winning its games by wide margins, Saturday’s clash between Gilas Pilipinas Girls and Indonesia promises to be the defining game of the tournament.

     

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  • Balanced Gilas Girls stay unbeaten, tighten grip on SEABA U18 qualifiers lead 

    Balanced Gilas Girls stay unbeaten, tighten grip on SEABA U18 qualifiers lead 

    The deeper the tournament goes, the clearer one thing becomes for Gilas Pilipinas Girls: this team is not built around a single star.

     

    Two games into the 2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup–SEABA Qualifiers, the Philippines has showcased a luxury few youth teams possess — production coming from virtually everywhere.

     

    That depth was on full display once again Wednesday evening as Gilas overwhelmed Singapore, 83-53, at the STI West Negros University Gym in Bacolod City to remain unbeaten and seize sole possession of first place in the five-nation tournament.

     

    Fresh off a 51-point demolition of Vietnam in its opener, the Philippines encountered a brief challenge from Singapore early on. The visitors stayed within striking distance throughout the opening quarter and trailed by just a point, 18-17, after the first 10 minutes.

     

    But once Gilas settled in, the gap between the two sides quickly became evident.

     

    Sophia Dignadice orchestrated the attack while Zaydhen Rosano helped ignite a decisive second-quarter surge that transformed a close contest into a comfortable lead. The Filipinas outscored Singapore, 26-10, in the period to enter halftime ahead, 42-27.

     

    The second-half script followed a familiar pattern.

     

    Wave after wave of Philippine pressure gradually wore down Singapore as the lead ballooned to as much as 32 points, allowing Gilas to cruise to its second straight double-digit victory.

     

    What has made the Philippines particularly dangerous through the opening rounds is the collective nature of its offense.

     

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    For the second consecutive game, every player who saw action found the scoring column, underscoring both the team’s balance and coach Sandy Arespacochaga’s confidence in his entire roster.

     

     

    Tiffany Reyes spearheaded the attack with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting clip while also contributing seven rebounds and four steals. Dignadice continued her impressive tournament with 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four steals without committing a turnover.

     

    Rosano added nine points, while Rhiane Perez chipped in seven. Brianna Katigbak and Lea Pinuela supplied six points apiece as the Filipinas showcased their growing offensive versatility.

     

    Singapore struggled to keep pace throughout the night, with Hui Jun Ayeni emerging as its lone double-digit scorer. The defeat dropped Singapore to 0-2 in the standings.

     

    The result leaves Gilas alone at the top of the table and strengthens its position as the team to beat in the regional qualifiers. 

     

    With momentum firmly on its side, the Philippines now shifts its attention to another important test against Thailand.

     

    If the first two games have revealed anything, it is that Gilas does not need a single player to carry the load. The Filipinas are winning through numbers, depth, and relentless energy — a formula that has placed them two victories closer to another successful international campaign.

     

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  • Gilas Girls make statement, dominates Vietnam in U18 SEABA opener 

    Gilas Girls make statement, dominates Vietnam in U18 SEABA opener 

    The future of Philippine women’s basketball wasted little time announcing its arrival.

     

    With a roster packed with rising stars and familiar basketball bloodlines, Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 opened the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers with an emphatic 93-42 victory over Vietnam on Tuesday night at the STI-West Negros University Gym in Bacolod City.

     

    While the senior national team continues to build on its recent international successes, the next wave of talent showed it may not be long before it is ready to carry the program forward.

     

    After a competitive opening quarter, the Filipinas blew the game wide open behind a suffocating defensive display and a blistering 26-7 second-quarter run that immediately created separation.

     

    What followed was a showcase of the depth, athleticism, and defensive intensity that has become a hallmark of the country’s youth program.

     

    Gilas forced turnovers all night long, finishing with 28 steals that directly translated into 55 points off Vietnam’s miscues.

     

    Rhiane Perez led the charge with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, while Zaydhen Rosano added 15 points and eight rebounds as the Filipinas controlled both ends of the floor.

     

    The performance also highlighted the emergence of several players carrying familiar surnames.

     

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    US-trained Tiffany Reyes, daughter of former PBA player Jay-R Reyes, contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals in an efficient outing.

     

    Meanwhile, Sophia Dignadice, daughter of PBA legend Yves Dignadice and already a member of the gold medal-winning Gilas Women squad in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and six steals.

     

    The victory serves as another encouraging sign for a program that has steadily expanded its talent pipeline in recent years.

     

    Although the Philippines has already secured its place in this year’s FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup after topping Division B in 2024, the SEABA qualifiers provide valuable international experience for a group expected to become future mainstays of the national team.

     

    For one night at least, the next generation looked more than ready for the challenge.

     

    Gilas Women U18 returns to action on Wednesday against Singapore as it continues its campaign on home soil.

     

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  • Gilas Women U-18 begins new era under Sandy Arespacochaga in SEABA Qualifiers 

    Gilas Women U-18 begins new era under Sandy Arespacochaga in SEABA Qualifiers 

    For the Gilas Women U-18 team, the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers in Bacolod represent more than a regional tournament—they signal the beginning of a transition period that could influence the future of the country’s youth basketball program.


    That new phase officially starts on Tuesday, June 2, when the Filipinas face Vietnam in their opening assignment. 

     

    The matchup also serves as the head coaching debut of Sandy Arespacochaga, who was recently tasked with steering the next generation of Gilas talent toward greater success on the international stage.

     

    With Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand also participating in the five-day competition, the tournament provides an early glimpse into how the revamped program intends to move forward under its new leadership. 

     

    While victories remain important, the event offers a rare opportunity to test systems, assess player development, and establish a foundation ahead of bigger challenges in the coming years.

     

    The Philippines enters the competition in a unique position. Having already secured a berth in the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup after capturing the Division B crown in 2024, the pressure of qualification has largely been removed. 

     

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    Instead, the focus shifts toward building cohesion, refining execution, and identifying the players capable of becoming long-term cornerstones of the national team setup.

     

    That process begins with key contributors Tiffany Reyes and Sophia Dignadice, who are expected to anchor the squad throughout a demanding stretch of four games in five days. 

     

    Beyond individual performances, however, the coaching staff will closely monitor how the team responds to adversity, adapts to different opponents, and executes under the fast-paced schedule.

     

    The tournament also serves as a proving ground for athletes seeking to elevate their standing within the national program. 

     

    Every possession and every game become part of a larger evaluation process as coaches determine which players can handle expanded responsibilities on the road to the continental competition.

     

    After taking on Vietnam in the opener, Gilas Women U-18 will continue its campaign against Singapore on June 3, Thailand on June 4, and Indonesia on June 6. 

     

    By the end of the week, the results may matter less than the answers the team uncovers about its identity, chemistry, and readiness for the next stage of its development.

     

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  • SBP begins new era with Sandy Arespacochaga taking charge of Gilas Women Youth

    SBP begins new era with Sandy Arespacochaga taking charge of Gilas Women Youth

    The rebuilding of the women’s basketball program under Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is beginning to take clearer shape, and the federation’s latest move signals a stronger focus on long-term development rather than quick fixes.


    At the center of that direction is Sandy Arespacochaga, who has officially been appointed as the new head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Women Youth.

     

    The veteran tactician now takes charge of the national girls squad preparing for the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers set from June 2 to 6 in Bacolod.

     

    Rather than simply filling a coaching vacancy, SBP’s decision appears rooted in building continuity within the national program. 

     

    Arespacochaga brings years of experience from different levels of Philippine basketball, from collegiate success with the Ateneo Blue Eagles to professional experience as an assistant coach with NLEX Road Warriors and TNT Tropang 5G, where he has remained part of the coaching staff since 2019.

     

    He also carries international experience after previously handling Batang Gilas in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, giving him familiarity with youth development and international competition.

     

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    Preparations for the regional qualifiers are already underway. Earlier, tournament officials and delegates conducted inspections of the competition venues in Bacolod, including the STI West Negros University Gymnasium and the Bacolod City Multi-Purpose Center and Skate Park (MICES Gym), which will serve as the practice facility.

     

    The inspections focused on ensuring the venues meet international standards, particularly in playing conditions, athlete accommodations, and spectator readiness.

     

    While the youth program begins its transition under Arespacochaga, SBP is also expected to announce the new head coach for the senior Gilas Pilipinas Women squad within the next few days.

     

    According to SBP head of communications Carlo Pamintuan, the federation is already in the final stages of discussions. He explained that several terms have already been agreed upon. 

     

    At the same time, Pamintuan clarified speculation involving former Japan women’s national team coach Tom Hovasse.

     

    “SBP had a conversation with former Japan coach Tom Hovasse but never in an interview setting and he never applied. He was not considered, but his input as a reference was valued,” said Pamintuan.

     

    The federation, however, openly acknowledged that Japan’s sustained success in women’s basketball has become one of the benchmarks they hope to follow.

     

    “Japan has a strong women’s program. They’re no. 3 in Asia and we want to emulate the same success as Japan had. We’ve seen their results and the search queued towards that direction,” he said.

     

    For SBP, the recent coaching changes appear less about immediate results and more about creating a system capable of competing consistently in Asia, starting from the youth ranks all the way to the senior national team.

     

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