Gilas Women ushers in a new era as Patrick Aquino steps down as head coach of the national team

After more than a decade of steering the program from obscurity to relevance, head coach Patrick Aquino is stepping away from the sidelines, marking the end of a defining chapter and the beginning of a broader vision for Philippine women’s basketball.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on March 28 that Aquino will transition into a new role centered on talent identification and grassroots development, working alongside program director Norman Black. 

“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. 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,” said SBP president Ricky Vargas.

Aquino’s tenure was not merely long—it was transformative. When he took over in 2014, the program was still searching for identity and consistency. Over the years, he helped shape a competitive national team that could stand its ground in Asia and, eventually, make noise on the global stage. 

His crowning breakthrough came in 2019, when Gilas Women captured its first Southeast Asian Games gold medal—an achievement that redefined expectations. The team would go on to add more podium finishes, including another gold in Bangkok.

Under his guidance, the Philippines climbed to Division A status in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup at both senior and youth levels, a sign of sustained growth rather than isolated success. 

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SALAMAT, COACH PAT

The SBP officially begins its search for a new Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach as Patrick Aquino steps down from his post after more than a decade of leadership to take on a new role in grassroots development.#SBP #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/54SDVXd3Xh

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) March 28, 2026

More recently, the team delivered a historic 74-59 upset over world No. 19 Colombia in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France—its first victory against a non-Asian squad, and perhaps the clearest indication yet of how far the program has come.

And yet, even with progress evident, the SBP sees a shifting landscape that demands a different approach.

“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.

That global expansion of talent is at the heart of the federation’s next move. Rather than simply replacing Aquino, the SBP is casting a wide net—one that may extend beyond Philippine borders.

SBP Executive Director Erika Dy underscored the importance of a comprehensive search.

“We’re going to have a thorough process to determine who will lead Gilas Pilipinas Women moving forward. We’re not limiting ourselves to local coaches,” Dy said. 

Gilas Women is coming off a 1-4 campaign in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon, France. More importantly, the road ahead is packed with high-stakes tournaments, the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in August, the Asian Games in Japan in September 2026, and the Philippines’ hosting of the 2027 Asia Cup.

In that context, Aquino’s new role may prove just as vital as his time on the bench. By focusing on grassroots development and global talent identification, he becomes a bridge between the program’s past and its future.

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