While he is looking forward to the competition, Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Patrick Aquino is bracing for impact in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China from 13 to 20 July.

Aquino told DAILY TRIBUNE said he is excited to lead the team as they go up against Lebanon, three-time bronze medalist Australia, and six-time champion Japan in Group B.

“I’m very excited and we have to start preparing. We are in tough group but hopefully we can match up with our opponents and achieve something better again,” Aquino said.

In the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup, Gilas Women finished with a 1-4 win-loss record to stay afloat in Division A.

Defending champion and host China banners Group A with New Zealand, South Korea and Indonesia.

The top teams of each group will get a slot in the semifinals while the second and third-placed teams of each group will play each other in a playoff round.

The Chinese and the Koreans are the most dominant countries in the tournament with 12 championships each.