PAT Aquino is grateful to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for his more than a decade of service as the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Women, hoping that the next mentor will be able to even surpass the accomplishments of the squad during his time.
Aquino acknowledged the players that he handled over the years as they contributed to the rise of women's basketball from the local and international stage from the first time he handled the national team in 2014.
He is hopeful the next person in charge would even do better and bring Gilas Women to new heights particularly on the world stage.
READ: Pat Aquino's 12-year tenure as Gilas Women coach ends
“First of all, I would just want to thank the federation for giving me that opportunity. It's been a long 10 years or more na I've been at the helm as the head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Women,” said Aquino in an interview after the PBA game of Blackwater on Tuesday where he is the assistant coach.
“Siguro sa akin, I just wanted to, ‘yung mga nagawa namin, sana pagpatuloy ng whoever is the next head coach. And for me, ‘yung mga girls din, maalagaaan ng mabuti,” he said.
Aquino said he took the change by the SBP in a positive way, saying that it will always be part of being a head coach, no matter how long his or her tenure is.
“As a head coach, you really have to be, at one point or the other, may darating ‘yung panahon na you really have to set yourself free from coaching,” said Aquino.
Instead of reflecting on why his stint with the team ended, Aquino said he is proud with Gilas Women's accomplishments through the years, with the climb in the FIBA rankings being one of the more memorable feats.
“The first time I started coaching, the rank of the Philippines was 56. And now, for the last 10 years, we made it to 30. And it's not just me na ginawa ko ‘yun, but all the girls that have played for the national team," Aquino, also a three-time SEA Games gold medalist with Gilas Women, shared.
"Doon ako nagpapasalamat at natutuwa kasi sila ‘yung nag-build ng program talaga and not just me. Credit to them."
Aquino admitted to a tinge of regret that he will not be able to coach the team in the next tournaments which includes the 2027 FIBA Women's Asia Cup which the country will be hosting.
But at the same time, he's happy that he will be leaving the team capable of competing against the best in the world, as proven by the country's maiden participation in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup qualifiers early this month in Lyon, France where Gilas Women won a game against Colombia on what turned out to be Aquino's last as head coach of the national squad.
“In a way, yes of course. Medyo nanghihinayang. For the last time na ginagawa ko ito, umaalis kami. And then now, we wanted to show na we can play at the same level as the Asian countries,” Aquino shared.
“For a fact that the recent performance of the girls, we are not talking about the wins and the losses, we are talking about the numbers, that was our goal when we went to France," he continued.
We were talking about the numbers. How many points, how can we compete with them. And I felt like we did. Siguro sabihin na lang natin na the height disparity, the experience disparity really counts. And for a first timer, I think we had a good run."
Moving forward, Aquino is wishing for more support from the women's basketball stakeholders and other groups so that the national team can improve even further with the new head coach aboard.
“Ang dami kasing times na kulang kulang ako, and then pag nagpractice kami, hindi kami kumpleto. At the same time, sana magkaroon ng united players, the support would be there for them,’’ Aquino said.
“Sana ma-outgrow what we did and, walang bias or anything, I want to really go up pa. Sana magawa nila or whoever who is going to change me, I hope na wag siya ma-pressure and just do everything para umakyat pa ‘yung Philippines. Wag lang sayangin na we will go back again and for the longest time, nandito tayo and bababa. Mahirap. You can’t imagine how hard going up and coming down and going up again,” he added.
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