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Tag: Gilas Pilipinas Women

  • Burke Toews ready to build Gilas Pilipinas Women into Asian powerhouse

    Burke Toews ready to build Gilas Pilipinas Women into Asian powerhouse

    Veteran coach Burke Toews has taken the reins of the Philippine women’s national basketball team, with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) hoping his experience can help elevate the country’s program into one of Asia’s best.

     

    Toews arrives in the Philippines after more than a decade of building one of Japan’s premier women’s basketball programs. He most recently led the Fujitsu Red Wave to back-to-back titles before accepting the Gilas Pilipinas Women head coaching job.

     

    The 60-year-old coach said he took on the challenge because he believes there is more he wants to accomplish in the latter stages of his career—beyond simply adding more championships to his résumé.

     

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    “I really felt strongly that at this stage in my career, I still had some personal goals that were more than just championships,” Toews said in a recent media session.

     

    Toews believes Gilas Pilipinas Women have the potential to become one of Asia’s elite teams, but he stressed that his approach will not be a carbon copy of what he built in Japan.

    While he plans to draw from his extensive experience in the Japanese basketball system, Toews said the Philippines must develop its own identity around the strengths of its players.

     

    “We are using them, I won’t say as a blueprint. I don’t want to say that we can just bring what Japan does to the Filipino national team. You should not copy someone completely because you lose the essence of the players that you are coaching and what they do well,” Toews said.

     

    “I thought that the Philippines women’s had a really high ceiling. Not just because of what happened in the last few years with coach Pat Aquino and the success they had, but if things could be changed, not just on the court, but off the court, I thought that the Philippines could really get to the top tier and be a perennial contender.”

     

    Toews’ first major test will come in the upcoming FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he will have several of the Philippines’ top talents at his disposal.

     

    Among the potential standouts are Gilas star Jack Animam, former NCAA Division I player Vanessa de Jesus and multiple-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa.

     

    For Toews, however, the goal extends beyond the immediate results. He wants to establish a clear identity for Gilas Pilipinas Women and build a sustainable program capable of competing at the highest level in Asia year after year.

     

    “We want to win while we are learning,” Toews said.

     

    With a proven track record in Japan and a strong belief in the Philippines’ potential, Toews now begins the task of turning Gilas Pilipinas Women into a consistent force on the Asian basketball stage.

     

     

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  • Gilas Women brace for tough Mexico test in Olympic pre-qualifiers 

    Gilas Women brace for tough Mexico test in Olympic pre-qualifiers 

    Gilas Pilipinas Women will enter the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament with a clear understanding of the challenge ahead — and a pair of imposing weapons in the middle.

     

    Jack Animam and Kacey Dela Rosa will headline a youthful but experienced Philippine lineup as the Nationals prepare for their campaign in Guadalajara, Mexico from August 18 to 24.

     

    The duo will form the foundation of Gilas Women’s interior game, with veteran leaders Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos providing additional experience alongside Filipina-American Vanessa de Jesus, a former Duke University standout.

     

    Kent Pastrana, Louna Ozar, Jhaz Joson, Angel Surada, Monique Del Carmen, Alyssa Rodriguez, and young gun Sophia Dignadice complete the squad.

     

    For new head coach Burke “BT” Toews, the tournament represents his first major test at the helm of the national team.

     

    The Canadian coach is aware that Gilas Women will be facing a difficult road in Group B, where the Philippines will go up against host Mexico, Canada, and Senegal in a single-round robin format.

     

    Rather than setting unrealistic expectations, Toews is choosing to focus on what his team can control — particularly when the Philippines faces opponents it believes it can challenge.

     

    “It would be great to win the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico, but that’s going to be a huge hurdle for us. It would be, I think, world news if it happened,” admitted Toews.

     

    “You’ve got Canada in there. But there are teams in our pool that are definitely beatable. And so that’s what we focus on. And the first game is against the hosts,” he added.

     

    That opening assignment against Mexico could immediately set the tone for the Philippines.

     

    The world No. 30 team begins its campaign on August 18 against the hosts before facing powerhouse Canada on August 20. Gilas Women will then wrap up the group stage against Senegal on August 21.

     

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    The format leaves little room for a slow start. With only one game against each opponent, every possession and result could carry significant weight in the race for the top two spots.

     

    For the Philippines, the path to the semifinals will likely require a combination of Animam and Dela Rosa’s presence inside, the veterans’ composure, and contributions from a group of players looking to establish themselves on the international stage.

     

    Canada presents the biggest obstacle on paper, but the Philippines’ immediate priority is Mexico.

     

    A strong opening performance would not only give Gilas Women an early boost in the standings but also provide Toews with an indication of how quickly his system can translate against international opposition.

     

    The tournament may be a difficult first assignment for the new coach, but it also offers an opportunity for Gilas Women to measure just how far the program has come.

     

    The goal is straightforward: finish among the top two in Group B and earn a place in the semifinals.

     

    The road to that goal, however, begins against the hosts in Guadalajara.

     

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  • BT Toews sets long-term blueprint for Gilas Women with 2027 Asia Cup in sight

    BT Toews sets long-term blueprint for Gilas Women with 2027 Asia Cup in sight

    Rather than chasing quick fixes, new Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Burke “BT” Toews is focused on building a sustainable program that can compete with Asia’s best by the time the Philippines hosts the 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu.


    The Canadian mentor, who officially took over the national team months ago after replacing Pat Aquino, sees the upcoming FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico as an important checkpoint—not the finish line.

     

    For Toews, every international tournament is an opportunity to establish the standards and playing identity he hopes will define Gilas Women in the years ahead.

     

    His confidence stems from decades of coaching experience in Japan, where he spent most of his career and helped shape one of the strongest women’s basketball programs in the world. Most recently, he guided Fujitsu Red Wave to the 2024-25 domestic league championship after a lengthy stint with the club.

     

    “I’m bringing a lot. I sent, I don’t know how many, but probably about 12 players in 10 years to the national team. Part of being a coach that long is that you are part of creating Japanese basketball. Coaches watch each other. They watch successful coaches,” Toews said.

     

    Beyond Fujitsu, Toews also coached Toyama Grouses, Hyogo Storks, Kuroda Electric Bullet Spirits, and Hitachi SunRockers Tokyo-Shibuya during a coaching career in Japan that spanned from 1992 to 2025.

     

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    His years overseas also allowed him to witness Japan’s steady rise into a global women’s basketball powerhouse. 

     

    “The fact that Japan plays the way they do is no secret. They started in 2015 with a FIBA ranking of 15. And then it took them 12 years. They went to eighth, and now they’re presently third. It doesn’t happen overnight, right? So yeah, of course,” the 60-year-old coach said.

     

    Despite drawing inspiration from Japan’s success, Toews emphasized that Gilas Women will not become a replica of the Japanese national team.

     

    Instead, he wants to blend proven concepts with the strengths of the current Filipino roster, creating a system built specifically for the players available to him.

     

    “But I don’t want to say that we can just bring what Japan does to the Filipino national team. Not only should you not copy someone completely, because you lose the essence of the players that you’re coaching and what they do well, but at the same time, I feel like there are a lot of areas that we can tune up and imitate,” he said.

     

    Recognizing the Philippines’ size disadvantage against many international opponents, Toews wants Gilas Women to become a disruptive defensive team capable of forcing turnovers and generating easy points in transition.

     

    “I think the part where I want to put in my most effort is defensively – just to make sure that we have not just a solid defense, but a defense that is also attacking because we would like to be in transition as much as possible because of our lack of size,” Toews said.

     

    “Take the best parts of Filipino players and put them in a position to succeed with the talent that they have.”

     

    Those principles will be tested immediately when Gilas Women competes in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament before shifting its attention to the Asian Games later this year.

     

    While Toews refused to predict results, he made it clear that expectations inside the program have already been raised.

     

    “We have high goals and we want to win every game we play. And we take it one game at a time. But I won’t make predictions, but my standards are high. And the players know that,” he said.

     

    Leading the 17-player pool for the Mexico tournament are national team veterans Jack Animam, Kacey Dela Rosa, Vanessa de Jesus, Afril Bernardino, and Janine Pontejos.

     

    For Toews, however, the success of this roster will not be measured solely by what happens in Guadalajara. It will also be determined by whether each tournament brings Gilas Women closer to becoming a team capable of challenging Asia’s elite when the Philippines welcomes the continent for the 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu.

     

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  • Jack Animam leads Gilas Women charge in FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament bid 

    Jack Animam leads Gilas Women charge in FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament bid 

    Gilas Pilipinas Women have assembled a 17-player training pool that blends proven veterans with promising newcomers as the national team prepares for the FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico.


    Leading the group is veteran center Jack Animam, who returns to the national team after last suiting up for the Philippines in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. 


    The experienced big woman is expected to anchor a frontline that also features 6-foot Kacey Dela Rosa and 6-foot-2 Tiffany Reyes.


    Dela Rosa rejoins the 5-on-5 national program after spending the past several months competing in the 3×3 circuit, while the 15-year-old Reyes earns her first opportunity to train with the senior national team, giving the coaching staff another young prospect to develop for the future.


    The backcourt will also receive a boost from Vanessa De Jesus, who was recently signed by WKBL club Busan BNK and has been designated as the Philippines’ restricted player.


    Also returning to the national team setup are veterans Afril Bernardino, Jhazmin Joson, Louna Ozar, Kent Pastrana, Janine Pontejos, Angel Surada, Ann Pingol, Tin Cayabyab, and Monique Del Carmen, providing the squad with a solid core of international experience.


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    Three players will be looking to make strong first impressions after earning spots in the national team pool. 


    Camille Malagar, Alyssa Rodriguez, and Jaz Salon join the program for the first time, with Salon bringing overseas experience as a 5-foot-3 Fil-Australian point guard currently playing for Colorado State University Pueblo.


    Completing the training pool is another rising talent in Sophia Dignadice, whose inclusion further reflects Gilas Women’s commitment to building a roster capable of competing both now and in the years ahead.


    The Philippines faces a daunting challenge in the FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which will be held from August 17 to 23 in Guadalajara, Mexico. 


    Drawn into Group B, Gilas Women will take on host nation Mexico, Canada, and Senegal in the opening phase of the competition.


    Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals, while the tournament champion will earn the lone berth to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament—the next crucial step toward securing a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.


    For Gilas Women, the tournament represents more than just another international campaign. It is an early opportunity to measure the program’s progress against world-class competition while integrating a new generation of talent alongside its established leaders, as the Philippines looks to take another significant step toward returning to the Olympic stage.


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  • Mikka Cacho delivers clutch heroics as Gilas Women book FIBA 3×3 Batam quarterfinal berth 

    Mikka Cacho delivers clutch heroics as Gilas Women book FIBA 3×3 Batam quarterfinal berth 

    When Gilas Pilipinas Women needed one final play to keep its campaign alive, Mikka Cacho made sure the moment belonged to the Philippines.


    The National University standout came through with a game-winning and-one in the closing seconds as Gilas stunned world No. 20 Japan, 17-15, to secure a quarterfinal berth in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series-Batam Stop on Thursday at Alun-Alun Batam Centre in Indonesia.

     

    With the victory, the Filipinas kept their tournament hopes alive after surviving a day filled with pressure-packed games, earning a date with Thailand in Friday’s knockout stage.

     

    The dramatic finish capped a back-and-forth contest that came down to the final possession.

    Holding a slim 15-14 advantage with seven seconds remaining, the Philippines saw Japan pull even after Miku Takahashi drove to the basket for the tying layup.

     

    Instead of settling for overtime, Cacho attacked immediately on the next possession, taking on Takahashi at the rim and converting a clutch and-one play with just 2.6 seconds left to restore the lead, 17-15.

     

    Japan still had one last opportunity to force overtime, but Ufuoma Tanaka’s corner two-point attempt at the buzzer missed its target, allowing Gilas Women to celebrate one of its biggest victories of the tournament.

     

    Tantoy Ferrer paced the Filipinas with seven points, while Cacho added six points and five rebounds, delivering her biggest basket when it mattered most.

     

    The win completed a demanding day for the Philippine squad, which first had to survive the qualifying draw just to reach the main tournament.

     

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    Gilas opened the qualifiers by dismantling Vietnam, 21-11, before escaping Slovakia, 16-15, to earn a place in the main draw. Ferrer starred with eight points against Slovakia, while Cacho and Camille Clarin chipped in four points apiece.

     

    The Filipinas then opened the main draw against powerhouse France, absorbing a 21-9 defeat that turned their meeting with Japan into a virtual knockout match.

     

    Despite nursing a right shoulder injury, Elizabeth Means continued to suit up and provided valuable minutes throughout the campaign.

     

    Meanwhile, Manila Gilas bowed out in the qualifying draw after close losses to Egypt, 20-18, and Mongolia, 22-18.

     

    Although the team fell short of advancing, newcomer Camille Malagar impressed in her Women’s Series debut, scoring a combined 16 points across the two games while teaming up with Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, and Lee Sario in Batam.

     

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  • Jack Animam looks forward to BT Toews-led Gilas Women campaign 

    Jack Animam looks forward to BT Toews-led Gilas Women campaign 

    Jack Animam sees a new opportunity for growth as Gilas Pilipinas Women enters a new chapter under head coach BT Toews, with the national team preparing for a crucial campaign in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

    The 6-foot-4 center, who recently made history by becoming the first homegrown Filipino player to compete in Poland’s Basket Liga Kobiet after signing with Energa Torun, is eager to be part of Toews’ system and experience his approach to the game.

    Animam’s excitement comes from a familiar connection. Fresh off a championship run with Denso in Japan, the Filipino standout will now work with a coach who also built a winning reputation in the same country after guiding Fujitsu to league championships in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

    “Nagulat ako siyempre, kasi galing ako sa Japan, tapos nag-coach din siya sa Japan. Parang, ‘Wow!’ Nagulat ako and excited to work with him. Siguro ‘yun nga, matagal na siyang nasa Japan and he’s been coaching in different parts ng world,” Animam said.

    Toews brings decades of international coaching experience, with previous stops at the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Academy High School, and several B.League clubs including Hyogo, Shibuya, and Toyama.


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    He officially took over the Gilas Pilipinas Women program last month, replacing longtime mentor Patrick Aquino.

    For Animam, the arrival of Toews gives the national team another valuable resource as Philippine women’s basketball continues to rise on the international stage.

    She believes the Canadian coach’s global background can help build on the foundation established during Aquino’s tenure.

    “Siguro ‘yung experience niya, lalo na ngayon paangat na nang paangat ‘yung estado ng Philippine women’s basketball na sinimulan ni Coach Pat (Aquino), ayun I think more on ‘yung kung ano ‘yung madadala ni Coach BT sa pagiging coach niya for the longest time on the international stage,” she said.

    Gilas Pilipinas Women will begin its first practice session under Toews on Tuesday as the squad starts preparations for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament scheduled from August 17 to 23 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

    The Philippines faces a difficult Group B assignment, where it will battle host Mexico, Canada, and Senegal. The tournament presents another opportunity for Gilas Women to continue its progress and move closer to an Olympic berth.

    “I think you know kung ano ‘yung tinrabaho namin all these years na makarating kami sa ganitong estado at mabigyan kami ng oportunidad para lumaban, para magkaroon kami ng spot sa Olympic qualifiers, malaking bagay ‘yun sa amin,” the National University standout said.

    Although Animam is preparing for a new professional chapter in Poland, her focus remains with the national team first. The veteran center is committed to helping Gilas Women navigate its transition period and compete against some of the world’s strongest women’s basketball programs.

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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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  • Elizabeth Means nears Gilas dream as naturalization process enters final stretch

    Elizabeth Means nears Gilas dream as naturalization process enters final stretch

    For Elizabeth Means, every game she plays in the Philippines now feels like a preview of something bigger.

     

    The Cebu Hustle 3×3 tournament may be another stop in her basketball journey, but for Means, the event also serves as a reminder that her long-awaited opportunity to officially represent the country is finally within reach.

     

    After years of paperwork and waiting, the Filipino-American forward revealed that her naturalization process is nearing completion, placing her one step closer to wearing the Philippine colors in international competition.

     

    The process took another significant leap forward in March when the Philippine Senate approved on third and final reading the bills granting citizenship to Means and former University of the Philippines standout Malick Diouf. Both are expected to strengthen the country’s growing 3×3 basketball program.

     

    Now, the finish line is in sight.

     

    “Oh my gosh, it has been a process, and I’m so excited,” said Means, whose Filipino roots trace back to Naga City in Camarines Sur.

     

    “We’re almost there. I’m just waiting on my passport, but we’re in the last steps, and I cannot wait to have it, finalize it.”

     

    That anticipation has added extra meaning to every appearance she makes on local courts.

     

    This weekend, Means is competing in the inaugural Cebu Hustle 3×3 tournament alongside Camille Clarin, Camille Malagar, and Trina Guytingco under the Pilipinas Aguilas banner. The team opened its campaign strongly, sweeping its two pool-stage games to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.

     

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    While her future with Gilas Pilipinas remains the bigger picture, Means has stayed focused on the task at hand.

     

    The former Westminster University standout believes her team is finding its rhythm at the right time as the tournament enters its most important stage.

     

    “I think 3×3 tournaments are all about growing and getting better every game, and kinda warming up throughout the tournament, and I think we did that in each game,” said Means.

     

    “We’re excited to play some more competitive games tomorrow.”

     

    Beyond Cebu Hustle, Means is already looking ahead to what her Philippine passport could unlock.

     

    Potential opportunities in the FIBA Women’s Series, the Asian Games, and other international competitions are now becoming increasingly realistic. For a player who has long hoped to compete for the country connected to her family roots, that possibility is becoming more tangible with each passing day.

     

    Before she can officially step onto the international stage as a Filipina athlete, however, there is still business to take care of in Cebu.

     

    And for Means, every game remains another chance to prepare for the moment she has been waiting for all along.

     

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  • Camille Clarin powers historic Gilas Women win to end FIBA 3×3 World Cup campaign 

    Camille Clarin powers historic Gilas Women win to end FIBA 3×3 World Cup campaign 

    For three games, Gilas Pilipinas Women kept searching for a breakthrough.

     

    On the final day of its campaign in Warsaw, that breakthrough finally arrived.

     

    With its hopes of reaching the knockout stage already gone, the Philippine squad found something else worth celebrating — a landmark victory on one of the biggest stages in international 3×3 basketball.

     

    Powered by a long-awaited shooting explosion from Camille Clarin, Gilas Pilipinas Women closed out its 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup campaign with a historic 17-13 upset of World No. 11 Italy on Wednesday night (Manila time).

     

    The victory not only prevented a winless finish but also delivered the Philippines’ first triumph in the tournament, giving the team a memorable reward for its persistence against some of the world’s best programs.

     

    After struggling to find her rhythm through the opening games, Clarin saved her best performance for last.

     

    The former National University standout transformed the contest with her outside shooting, repeatedly punishing Italy from beyond the arc and providing the offensive spark Gilas had been missing throughout the tournament.

     

    Clarin drilled four two-pointers and finished with eight points, accounting for nearly half of the Philippines’ total output. Her biggest shot came with just 22 seconds left, a dagger from distance that effectively sealed the upset and sent the Filipina bench into celebration.

     

    The victory did not come without tension.

     

    Italy mounted a late charge and trimmed the deficit to 15-13 after Caterina Gilli completed an and-one play with just over a minute remaining. But every time the Italians threatened to take control, Gilas found an answer.

     

    Clarin delivered the decisive blow, while veteran leader Afril Bernardino provided stability inside with four points and six rebounds.

     

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    Mikka Cacho added three points, while Kacey Dela Rosa chipped in two as the Filipinas completed one of the most significant wins in the program’s young history.

     

    The result was especially meaningful considering the disappointment earlier in the day.

     

    Gilas showed flashes of potential against powerhouse China, racing to an early 6-1 lead and briefly putting one of Asia’s traditional contenders on the defensive. The Chinese eventually settled down and pulled away for a 20-12 victory, officially ending the Philippines’ chances of advancing.

     

    Yet instead of letting that defeat define their tournament, the Filipinas responded with their most complete performance.

     

    The final standings show Gilas finishing fourth in Pool C with a 1-3 record, narrowly missing out on the knockout rounds reserved for the top three teams.

     

    But beyond the numbers, the campaign offered something equally valuable: proof that the Philippines can compete and win against established programs on the world stage.

     

    And fittingly, it ended with a piece of history.

     

    In a tournament filled with lessons, challenges, and growing pains, Gilas Women left Warsaw with a breakthrough victory that may prove just as important as any medal — a reminder that the gap between the Philippines and the world’s elite continues to shrink.

     

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  • Elizabeth Means eager for Gilas Women debut after Filipino citizenship approval 

    Elizabeth Means eager for Gilas Women debut after Filipino citizenship approval 

    For Elizabeth Means, the journey to wearing a Gilas Pilipinas jersey is no longer a distant dream, it is now only a matter of time.

     

    After the measures concerning her naturalization officially lapsed into law, the 23-year-old forward is finally cleared to represent the Philippines, marking a major turning point in her basketball career and international aspirations.


    Now in the final stretch before her anticipated debut with Gilas Pilipinas Women, Means has made her intentions clear: she is fully committed and ready to embrace the national team stage.

     

    “I’m getting super excited to get to play with the Gilas and to represent the Philippines. Philippines really feels like home now and so I’m excited to get to play after practicing for so long and get to help the team be stronger,” Means said.

     

    Originally from the United States and a standout for Westminster University, Means has been training with the national pool since arriving in the country. While she has yet to officially appear on a roster, her presence in practice has already started to shape the team’s dynamics.

     

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    Gilas Women head coach Anton Altamirano has seen her steady improvement firsthand, noting how quickly she has adapted to the system and elevated her comfort level within the group.

     

    “I’ve seen her really improve drastically from the time last year na pagdating niya. I saw glimpses [before at] ngayon na lalabas na talaga niya. I think she’s getting more comfortable with the 3×3 game and also she’s getting comfortable with her teammates,” Altamirano said.

     

    Her arrival also gives the national team a valuable boost in size and versatility, especially alongside key local standout Kacey Dela Rosa, strengthening Gilas Women’s frontcourt depth in a way the program has long needed.

     

    But for Means, the growth hasn’t been one-sided. While adjusting to the speed and physicality of Philippine basketball, she says she has also improved significantly by training alongside her new teammates and learning the local style of play.

     

    Although her formal journey with Gilas began only about a year ago, her connection to the Philippines carries a deeper, more personal history. While she does not have Filipino blood, she traces part of her family’s story to the country through her grandfather, whose roots include time spent in Naga City during his early years.

     

    That background has given her a sense of belonging that goes beyond basketball, making her upcoming debut even more meaningful.

     

    In the coming weeks, she is set to continue her buildup through the Cebu Hustle 3×3, where she will suit up for Pilipinas Aguilas alongside other members of the national pool.

     

    Meanwhile, other Gilas Women standouts such as Kacey Dela Rosa, Mikka Cacho, Camille Clarin, and Afril Bernardino are preparing for their campaign in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland from June 1 to 7, keeping the program active on multiple international fronts.

     

    With Gilas Women rarely fielding a naturalized player without Filipino lineage, Means is aware of the expectations—but also motivated to prove that her presence can make a difference.

     

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