Gilas Women coach BT Toews sets lofty goals—one game at a time

MANILA, Philippines– New Gilas Pilipinas Women coach BT Toews has big ambitions for the team, yet he knows that it won’t take overnight for that to become a reality.

“We have high goals and we want to win every game we play. And we’ll take it one game at a time,” Toews said when he met members of the media on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

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It comes ahead of his Gilas debut, which would be the Fiba Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifier in Guadalajara, Mexico from Aug. 17 and 23 followed by next month’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Toews is more than two months removed from taking the helm, with a goal of setting higher standards after a decade of success under coach Pat Aquino.

The 60-year-old Canadian accepted the role offered by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, hoping that he can bring the success he had in Japan.

He carries credentials of having steered the Fujitsu Red Wave to consecutive Women’s Japan Basketball League and Empress Cup doubles in 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

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“Of all the offers I had in Asia to coach national teams, I thought that the Philippines, the women’s, was a team that had a really high ceiling,” Toews said.

“[It’s] not just because of what happened in the last few years with Coach Pat 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.”

Gilas is set to leave for Las Vegas this weekend for a camp before heading to Mexico for the competition where the Philippines will compete in Group B.

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Toews and Gilas will take on Canada, Senegal and host Mexico, with the top two teams advancing to the semifinals.

Jack Animam, Kacey dela Rosa and Vanessa de Jesus headline Toews’ roster, which also has veterans Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos plus lefty guard Sophia Dignadice.

The rest of the team is composed of Tin Cayabyab, Monique del Carmen, Jhaz Joson, Camille Malagar, Louna Ozar, Kent Pastrana, Ann Pingol, Tiffany Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Jay Salon and Angel Surada.