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Tag: Patrick Aquino

  • Gilas Women eye new direction as SBP looks overseas for next coach

    Gilas Women eye new direction as SBP looks overseas for next coach

    A transition is underway for Gilas Pilipinas Women—and it may come with a shift in identity.

     

    For years, the program has been defined by continuity, guided by a steady hand that helped elevate Philippine women’s basketball onto the regional and continental stage. Now, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas begins its search for a new head coach, the direction appears to be leaning outward, with foreign candidates taking center stage in the selection process.

     

    SBP Executive Director Erika Dy confirmed that the federation is actively exploring its options, with interviews already underway.

     

    “Right now we’re still interviewing candidates. So far lahat ng na-interview namin foreign coaches,” Dy said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

     

    The approach signals more than just a coaching change—it hints at a possible recalibration of the program, one that could introduce new systems, philosophies, and perspectives as Gilas looks to sustain its growth.

     

    For now, however, the details remain under wraps. “We will make the announcement when the time is right,” she added.

     

    Whoever takes over will inherit not just a team, but a legacy shaped by Pat Aquino, whose long tenure redefined what the national women’s program could achieve.

     

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    Over more than a decade, Aquino transformed Gilas Women into a consistent contender. Under his watch, the team captured three Southeast Asian Games gold medals and earned promotion to Level 1 in the FIBA Women’s Asia Championship—milestones that pushed Philippine women’s basketball into a higher tier of competition.

     

    He also guided the squad to the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France, marking a significant step onto the global stage.

     

    Now transitioning into a broader role focused on talent identification and grassroots development, Aquino leaves behind a foundation that the next coach must not only preserve, but build upon.

     

    The challenge, then, is twofold.

     

    First, to maintain the competitive standard that has been established. And second, to navigate the expectations that come with a program no longer seen as an underdog, but as a rising force in the region.

     

    With the search ongoing and a new voice on the horizon, Gilas Pilipinas Women finds itself at a crossroads—balancing continuity with change, and legacy with evolution.

     

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  • Blackwater appoints Patrick Aquino as interim head coach after Jeffrey Cariaso’s exit

    Blackwater appoints Patrick Aquino as interim head coach after Jeffrey Cariaso’s exit

    The Blackwater Bossing are in the midst of yet another difficult campaign in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, as the franchise continues to struggle for consistency and results. Through their first five outings, the Bossing have managed just a single victory, leaving them languishing in 11th place in the standings and facing an uphill climb toward playoff contention.

     

    Their already challenging situation took a significant turn over the weekend with the departure of head coach Jeffrey Cariaso. Initially reported as a resignation, the move effectively ends Cariaso’s stint with the team before the completion of the three-year contract he signed in April 2023. The development adds another layer of uncertainty to a squad still trying to find its identity midway through the conference.

     

    In response, Blackwater management moved quickly to stabilize the team, appointing longtime assistant coach Patrick Aquino as interim head coach. Aquino wasted no time stepping into his new role, conducting his first practice session on Saturday, April 11, with a focus on implementing adjustments and familiarizing the players with his system.

     

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    “Yes it is confirmed I’m being assigned as interim coach. Just want to thank boss Dioceldo Sy for the opportunity. And I hope we can improve something,” Aquino said in a media interaction.

     

    Aquino brings with him a wealth of experience and a decorated coaching résumé. He previously served as a Blackwater assistant from 2014 to 2019 and returned to the role from 2022 until his recent promotion. Beyond the PBA, Aquino is widely respected for his success in the collegiate and international scenes. He guided National University to a remarkable six consecutive UAAP women’s basketball titles from 2014 to 2019 and has been instrumental in the rise of Gilas Pilipinas Women. Under his leadership, the national team captured gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019, 2021, and 2025, while also earning promotion to Level 1 of the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship—a historic milestone for the program.

    While Aquino begins his interim tenure with a focus on improvement and evaluation, Cariaso addressed the circumstances surrounding his exit, clarifying that the separation was not a unilateral decision.

     

    “Effective today, I conclude my tenure as head coach of Blackwater Bossing, following discussions with management and mutual decision to move in different directions. I would like to clear any speculation that I resigned. I have always believed that the more demanding the path, the greater the responsibility to stay the course. I have always approached my work with that conviction, grounded in competitiveness and character,” he wrote in a post.

     

    “This was one of the most challenging career assignments of my coaching career, and it was met with full commitment and the clear intention to see it through. I stand by the work we put in, the standards we upheld, and the professionalism we maintained throughout.

     

    “My sincere thanks to Boss Dioceldo Sy, Boss Silliman Sy, and the rest of the management for the opportunity and their trust. I leave with respect for the organization and wish the players and the team continued strength and success,” he concluded.

     

    Despite the coaching change, the reality remains stark for Blackwater. With only one win to their name and several teams ahead in the standings, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Still, the remainder of the conference offers Aquino an opportunity to evaluate the roster, instill discipline, and potentially lay the groundwork for future campaigns.

     

    The Bossing will next take the floor against the formidable TNT Tropang Giga on Tuesday, April 14, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The matchup presents a daunting challenge, but also a chance for Blackwater to reset under new leadership and show signs of progress as they attempt to salvage pride in a difficult Commissioner’s Cup run.

     

     

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