WITH the main aim of the Philippines leveling up in international play, new head coach Burke ‘BT’ Toews is infusing into Gilas Pilipinas Women philosophies that made Japan one of the best women’s basketball teams in the world.
Toews was brought in by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to mentor the national team after his vast experience in Japan that included winning a championship with Fujitsu Red Wave in the domestic league from 2024-25.
Indeed, Toews has a great grasp of the Japanese way in women's basketball, as he was actually one of its movers for quite a while, including a seven-year run with Fujitsu.
That's why he is patterning his handling of Gilas Women after how he oversaw the Red Wave.
All those experiences are what he is now slowly incorporating to the Philippine team that is set to see action in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico from August 17 to 23.
“I’m bringing a lot,” the 60-year-old Toews answered when asked if he was bringing in practices that contributed to Japan’s growth in women’s basketball. “I sent, I don’t know how many, but probably about 12 players in 10 years to the national team."
“Part of being a coach that long there is that you are part of creating Japanese basketball. The fact that Japan plays the way they do is no secret. They started in 2015 with a 15th ranking. Then it took them 12 years, they went to eighth, and now, they are in third. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
Toews is now into his second month after replacing Pat Aquino, who had 12 years at the helm. Even before his official appointment, though, he was already well aware of Gilas Women's potential.
“Being in Asia for a long time, I’m very familiar with all the teams in Asia, whether they are the national team or a pro team… I thought that the Philippines, the women, were a team with a high ceiling not just because of what happened over the last few years with coach Pat and the success they had," he said.
"But also if things could be changed not just on the court, but off the court, I thought the Philippines could really get to the top tier and be a perennial contender.”
Philippine brand of basketball, still
But Toews said he is not about to fully incorporate the Japanese way, as his philosophies should also fit the skillset of the Filipina players.
“But I don’t want to say that we can just bring what Japan does to the Filipino national team. You should not copy someone completely because you lose the essence of the players that you are coaching and what they do well," he said.
"At the same time, I feel like there’s a lot of areas that we can tune up and we will imitate.”
Toews said he wants defense and an attacking squad in transition to be the hallmarks of Gilas Women.
“I think the part where I want to put in my most effort is defensively - just to make sure that we have not just a solid defense, but a defense that is also attacking because we would like to be in transition as much as possible because of our lack of size," he said.
"Take the best parts of Filipino players and put them in a position to succeed with the talent that they have.”
Toews named a pool of 17 players for the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament led by mainstays Jack Animam, Kacey Dela Rosa, Vanessa de Jesus, Afril Bernardino, and Janine Pontejos.
Also on the list are 15-year-old Tiffany Reyes, Sophia Dignadice, Tin Cayabyab, Monique Del Carmen, Jhaz Joson, Camille Malagar, Louna Ozar, Kent Pastrana, Ann Pingol, Alyssa Rodriguez, Jaz Salon, and Angel Surada.
Gilas Women is grouped with Canada, Senegal, and host Mexico in the tournament, where the top two in each of the two groups advance to the semifinals.
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