Gilas Pilipinas Women faces an uphill battle when it faces Canada in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament at the Astros Arena in Guadalajara, Mexico on Thursday.

The Filipinas will look to keep their semifinal hopes alive when they lock horns with the Canadians in the preliminaries of this event that offers a pathway to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Gilas Women is coming off a heartbreaking 68-71 loss to host Mexico last Tuesday, spoiling head coach Burke “BT” Toews’ debut with the national team.

The 60-year-old Toews, who was appointed last May, wants his players to use the setback as motivation when they face the world No. 7 Canadians.

“We have to have a quick turnaround before we play Canada, but I prefer if everybody takes a few hours and feels bad about the game, and really thinks about what it is we have to focus on, what it is we have to be more meticulous about, to continue to be a strong team,” said Toews, a Canadian national who is very much familiar with their foes brand of basketball after coaching in the University of Winnipeg and Canadian Academy High School before plying his trade in Japan from 2011 until 2025.

“When that time’s done, we’ll flip a switch, and we’ll be positive. You know, next play, next game.”

Vanessa de Jesus, a product of the Duke University program who scored 25 points against Mexico, echoed Toews and said the team must quickly bounce back to stay in contention.

“It’s just about getting back, being ready for those moments in the second half,” De Jesus said.

“And for us, it’s about bouncing back, because we knew they would come back, but for us, we let the moment get to us, and I think this will be a good learning for moving forward.”

The mighty Canadians will be a tough opponent after opening its campaign with a 72-57 victory over Senegal last Tuesday.

Kayla Alexander led the Canadians with 16 points and six rebounds, making her one of Gilas Women’s main defensive targets.

Aside from De Jesus, veteran center Jack Animam will be another key player for the Philippines after she was the only other Gilas player to score in double digits against Mexico, finishing with 14 points.