MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas women’s national basketball team gears up for its upcoming 2026 FIBA Olympic pre-qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, on August 17 to 23.
Gilas Pilipinas new head coach Burke “BT Toews knows the weight of his responsibility as he takes on the role of then-tactician Patrick Aquino, who served for 12 years in the Philippines women’s national basketball team.
Two months in with Gilas Pilipinas, Toews shared his vision in leveling up the women’s basketball scene in the Philippines, drawing from his lessons as a back-to-back champion in the Japan Basketball League in 2024 and 2025 (Women’s League) with the Fujitsu franchise.
“We’re using it (Japanese style). I won’t say as a blueprint… I will use my team more as a blueprint. Not necessarily the national team. But my team at Fujitsu, where I coached for 10 years, plays not much different than the national team,” he told the media.
Coaching for a decade in Japan, Toews revealed has been scouting the Philippines for a long time and shared that the Philippines’ individual player skill has no problem.
“It shouldn't be news to anybody. I think that the players' individual offensive skill is very good. In some ways, it's better than the Japanese players' individual skill.”
“But the Japanese, to make a direct comparison, play with the team in every sense. They sprint together, they play defense together, they're all in charge of stopping the ball, they're all on a string.”
Japan has emerged as one of the world’s premier women’s basketball nations, ranked third in the Asia-Oceania region and tenth globally by FIBA.
Philippines made a historic peak of World No. 30 in the rankings under the helm of Aquino.
“We have a big hole with Sumayah (Sugapong) and Naomi (Panganiban) not being here. That's the two positions, and they happen to be our best shooters as well. So even though we're a smaller team, I feel like the shooting level is still low.”
“They're not shy about taking them, but what we really want is efficient three-point shots, not just jacking shots up and hoping we can survive it to the fourth quarter.”
Gilas Pilipinas will have a training camp in Las Vegas on August 9, before heading to Mexico.
Toews also revealed that he takes it one day at a time and looks to figure it out with the team for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.
“Honestly, I haven't thought about the Asian Games at all. I'm looking at the Olympic pre-qualifier. Asian Games, I know it's important.”
“The problem with the Asian Games will be the roster, right? Because the pro seasons in different countries have started, and once again, it will be hard to get players. I know the importance of the Asian games, and I know that we certainly like the medal, but right now, I'm focused on Mexico.”
