PAT Aquino is out as Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach.
SPIN.ph sources confirmed the surprising development, detailing that the decorated mentor was actually given the pink slip last week.
This ends a colorful run for Aquino, who steered the Philippine national women's team to unprecedented heights, from gaining Division I promotion in FIBA Asia to a first-ever win in the FIBA Women's World Cup qualifiers
Under his watch, Gilas Women is now ranked No. 30 in the world.
Aquino, who held the post since 2014, also engineered the Philippines' gold medal exploits in the 2019, 2021, and 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
Under his watch, the Nationals thrived with stars like Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, and Jack Animam proudly carrying the flag in international competitions.
He also made possible the pipeline from the youth team, with talents like Camille Clarin, Angel Surada, Louna Ozar, and Sumayah Sugapong all ascending the ranks, while bridging towards the future with two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa standing at the forefront.
Through it all, he was also responsible for the greatest win streak in collegiate basketball, winning 96 straight games en route to a six-peat for the National U Lady Bulldogs.
SBP's statement
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas then announced that Aquino has been elevated into the role of focusing on talent identification and grassroots development, along with 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.
"We’re going to have a thorough process to determine who will lead Gilas Pilipinas Women moving forward," said SBP executive director Erika Dy. "We don’t have clear prospects yet, but the search begins now."
The SBP added it is not discounting the possibility of hiring a foreign coach.
“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,” said Dy.
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