After leading Gilas Women to multiple firsts, Patrick Aquino ends stint as head coach

MANILA, Philippines – Patrick Aquino’s time as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Women, a decorated stint marked by multiple historic feats, has come to an end.

Aquino, 54, draws the curtains on his run as national team mentor that lasted for over a decade as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Saturday, March 28, that it is now in search of a new Gilas Women shot-caller. 

“The SBP thanks coach Patrick Aquino for everything that he has done for the program and for all his efforts in the development of women’s basketball in the country,” said SBP president Ricky Vargas. “But now it’s time to move forward and do more for Gilas Pilipinas Women and the entire women’s basketball community in the country.”

With Aquino at the helm, Gilas Women captured their first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal when the country hosted the biennial showpiece in 2019 and followed it with two more victories, in Vietnam in 2022 and Thailand in 2025

He also spearheaded the Philippines’ promotion to the Division A of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, both at the senior and youth levels.

Aquino added another feather to his cap as Gilas Women beat a non-Asian team for the first time when they scored a 74-59 upset of world No. 19 Colombia in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France earlier this March.

But that game turned out to be Aquino’s last. 

Aquino, though, will continue working with the SBP as he focuses on talent identification and grassroots development, the federation said. 

“The landscape of women’s basketball is changing as we’re seeing Filipina talent sprouting from all over the world. The talent of our Filipina players is also being recognized as doors are opening for them all over the world. We need to harness all of this into our team,” said Vargas. 

A foreign replacement for Aquino is a possibility as the SBP starts its hunt for a new head coach. 

“We’re going to have a thorough process to determine who will lead Gilas Pilipinas Women moving forward. We don’t have clear prospects yet, but the search begins now,” said SBP executive director Erika Dy. 

“We’re not limiting ourselves to looking for local coaches, as our plan is really to land the best option possible. If that means hiring from abroad, that’s what we will do.”

Up next for Gilas Women are the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in August and the Asian Games in September — tournaments which are crucial for the team’s preparation for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2027 Asia Cup. – Rappler.com