The Gilas Pilipinas Women’s national basketball team has added new young and talented players in their roster ahead of their William Jones Cup in Taiwan and FIBA Asia Cup in China which will all be played in July 2025.
“We Belong!” Battlecry for the Women’s Team
With the iconic “Laban Pilipinas, PUSO!” battlecry of the Gilas Men’s national team, the women’s team guard Monique Del Carmen, wanted to have their own, as their squad will adapt the mantra of #WeBelong.
Key Veterans Out, Youth Movement In
Gilas will be missing the services of stalwarts Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Chack Cabinbin, and Andrea Tongco due to military responsibilities.
Credits: FIBA Basketball / Tiebreaker Times
Bernardino and Tongco are part of the Philippine Navy, while Pontejos and Cabinbin are with the Philippine Army. Their unavailability has left a major void, both in skill and leadership, heading into the high-stakes international competitions.
“Actually, we’re a bit undermanned because our veterans couldn’t go. Ate Afril, Ate Janine, Ate Chack, and Ate Andrea wouldn’t go with us because of personal matters,” said Monique del Carmen from a story by Justin Valencia of Tiebreaker Times.
“We’re a bit shorthanded but again, [our mantra is] #WeBelong.”
Despite this blow, the team remains optimistic. Bernardino, though unable to play, shared her confidence in her teammates: “I believe in them na makakaya nila, magagawa nila nang maayos ‘yung plays namin, kung ano yung pina-practice namin so I’m excited to see them play.”
Ella Fajardo echoed that spirit of unity and belief, noting the presence of the veterans during practice sessions.
Credits: Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Basketball via Facebook
“I do want to address that our veterans Ate Chack, Ate Afril, Ate Janine, Ate Andrea — it’s kind of saddening that they won’t be there, but they’ve been there every single practice to look over us, to make us smile every time,” Fajardo shared.
Reinforcements and Rising Stars Step In
Helping to stabilize the team are two important reinforcements: Jack Animam and Vanessa de Jesus. Although both were absent during the Asia Cup Trophy Tour press conference, head coach Pat Aquino confirmed their upcoming participation.
Credits: Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Basketball via Facebook
“Jack is gonna be there. Jack is just resting for a while, I think she had a six-month grueling season in Romania and it’s okay. Let her body rest and come back fresh and ready to go,” said Aquino in an interview from Tiebreaker Times.
“She’s (Vanessa) arriving next week… But unfortunately, she went on the transfer portal, from Duke to Notre Dame, and Notre Dame told her she had to stay because everybody is coming in before school returns. So sabi niya, ‘I had to go there but I’ll be there,’” Aquino explained.
UAAP Superstars and A Gem from Gilas Youth Squad
One of the most notable additions to the team is Kent Pastrana of the University of Santo Tomas. Long sought after by coach Aquino, Pastrana is finally making her debut after receiving approval from her college mentor.
Credits: UAAP Media / Phil Star
“First of all, thankful ako kay coach Haydee Ong kasi pinayagan niya ako na maglaro dito sa Gilas. And of course, malaking opportunity and experience ang makukuha ko dito sa Gilas kasama yung mga beterano,” Pastrana said in an interview from Tiebreaker Times.
She is joined by FEU standout Yvette Villanueva, with both expected to take on major roles as Gilas adjusts to life without its seasoned leaders. “Nung nalaman namin na wala yung mga beterano, big challenge sa amin and of course, malaking experience yung makukuha namin,” Pastrana noted.
Coach Aquino hopes their involvement signals a deeper synergy between the UAAP and the national program. “Very happy ako like Kent of course, I’ve been eyeing her for the longest time already… Hopefully, more players to come especially — that’s why we’re having UAAP, for the national team,” he said.
Among the other new faces is 19-year-old Sumayah Sugapong, a former Gilas youth program standout who recently transferred to the University of Arizona after an MVP season with UC San Diego. Along with returning names like Naomi Panganiban, Louna Ozar, and Fajardo, these rising stars are expected to help bridge the gap left by the absent veterans.
“Very big opportunity, especially again I could be proud of the program is doing right now,” Aquino remarked. “The transition from the youth program going into the seniors program — that’s a big thing for us.”
Aiming Higher: World Cup in Sight and Avoid Relegation
The Asia Cup not only tests their mettle against top-tier opponents but also serves as a gateway to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
“I always say that we have been here in Division A for eight years already, and I think we need to really compete, we’re not here just to stay, we have to compete now. That’s the main objective,” said Aquino.
Gilas is grouped with regional giants Japan and Australia, along with rising contender Lebanon in Pool B. Only the top six finishers out of eight teams will punch their ticket to the next World Cup. One group-stage victory could potentially secure qualification, but a last-place finish would mean playing for seventh and risking relegation to Division B.
“Australia and Japan have not just been top in Asia but top of the world. Yung Lebanon is also a powerhouse in East Asia, so it’s difficult to say what we can do right now, but we’ll do our best,” Aquino added. “Of course, we have to aim high. We hope that we can be at that level, we have to show everybody that we can compete and perform well.”
Del Carmen, for her part, found motivation in the recent visit of the Asia Cup trophy, which made stops at UAAP schools and cultural landmarks.
“Seeing the trophy so close to us, it’s like the tournament has already started against those powerhouse teams,” she said. “We’re just excited and hopefully we can be in the top six to qualify for the World Cup. That’s the important goal for now but we really hope that we can get the chip and we hope it stays in Manila.”
