GILAS Pilipinas U-18 Women have started their preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIBA Women’s U-18 Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers under the guidance of Sandy Arespacochaga, who has been installed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as Gilas Pilipinas Youth Women head coach.
Arespacochaga is a multi-titled assistant coach in the UAAP and PBA. He has experience in Youth coaching as he led Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup in 2019. His selection is another step in the right direction for the SBP under the leadership of President Ricky Vargas, who has empowered the federation to aggressively invest more in women’s basketball.
Asked why he was the best fit for the team, Gilas Pilipinas Women Program Director Bacon Austria said, “Coach Sandy is no stranger to FIBA tournaments. He’s already coached Gilas Youth Men and assisted Gilas Men at the World Cup level.”
The 2026 FIBA Women’s U-18 Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers will be hosted in Bacolod from June 2 to 6. However, the Philippines is already guaranteed a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s U-18 Asia Cup as they won Division B in 2024, which led to a promotion to the top tier.
“I’ve been a fan of women’s basketball, but I’ve never coached women’s basketball, so I’m really thankful for this opportunity,” said the coach. He went to work immediately with the idea of not just forming a good team for the tournament but having much bigger goals for the future.
The team is still awaiting the arrival of two key players: Tiffany Reyes, who last played for Gilas in the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025, and Sophia Dignadice, who already suited up at the elite level after seeing action in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers in France earlier this year. TMT
