After Mexico miss, Gilas Women have eyes on Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas women after beating Senegal in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-qualifying Tournament. –FIBA PHOTO

The Gilas Pilipinas Women did not have the most colorful run in the recently concluded Fiba Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.

That, though, doesn’t faze new coach BT Toews on his long-term goal with the Nationals.

“We want to move forward,” Toews said shortly after Gilas’ run in Mexico came to a halt. “Fighting is not enough at this level; your brain has to follow.”

“We’re still waiting for the execution to get better and [commit] fewer hiccups in a game.”

The Philippines only won one game in the pre-qualifiers when it downed Senegal on Friday, 79-75, to close out its campaign.

“One game does not give you an identity, but we’re definitely headed in the right direction,” Toews said.

With losses to Canada and Mexico, however, the Philippines lost its chance for an outright ticket to the Olympic qualifiers.

With the tourney being Toews’ first as head coach after replacing Pat Aquino, pressure was in the equation.

Instead, the veteran tactician chose to focus on the Nationals’ next big assignment, which is the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

“That’s another chance for us to learn; that’s another chance for us to compete,” he said. “But we want to win more than anything else.” INQ