Jack Animam is embracing a fresh start with Gilas Pilipinas Women as the national team begins a new era under head coach BT Toews ahead of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico.
Fresh off a championship-winning stint with Denso in Japan, Animam feels excited to work with Toews, who established a winning reputation in the same country after leading Fujitsu to back-to-back league titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
“I was surprised,” said the 6-foot-4 center, who recently signed with Energa Torun to become the first homegrown Filipino basketball player to compete in Poland’s Basket Liga Kobiet.
“Nagulat ako siyempre, kasi galing ako sa Japan, tapos nag-coach din siya sa Japan. Parang, ‘Wow!’ Nagulat ako and excited to work with him. Siguro ‘yun nga, matagal na siyang nasa Japan and he’s been coaching in different parts of the world.”
Toews officially took over the Gilas Pilipinas Women program last month, succeeding longtime head coach Patrick Aquino. The 60-year-old Canadian brings decades of coaching experience, with previous stops at the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Academy High School, and B.League clubs Hyogo, Shibuya, and Toyama.
For Animam, Toews’ extensive international experience could provide another boost for a Philippine women’s basketball program that has steadily risen under Aquino’s leadership.
(C) Fujitsu
“Siguro ‘yung experience niya, lalo na ngayon paangat na nang paangat ‘yung estado ng Philippine women’s basketball na sinimulan ni Coach Pat (Aquino)… Ayun, I think more on ‘yung kung ano ‘yung madadala ni Coach BT sa pagiging coach niya for the longest time on the international stage,” said the former National University standout.
Gilas Pilipinas Women will hold its first practice under Toews on Tuesday as it begins preparations for the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, which takes place from August 17 to 23 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Although Tuesday’s session will be Toews’ first on-court practice with the squad, he has already begun establishing rapport with the players through a virtual team meeting.
“Oo nagkaroon kami ng Zoom meeting, virtually meeting everyone kasi hindi naman lahat ng players nandito sa Pilipinas. Yeah, so far, bukas ‘yung first-ever practice trials namin with bagong coach.”
The focus now shifts to the challenge ahead as Gilas Pilipinas Women prepares to battle a formidable Group B that includes host Mexico, Canada, and Senegal in its bid to keep its Olympic dream alive.
“I think, you know, kung ano ‘yung tinrabaho namin all these years na makarating kami sa ganitong estado at mabigyan kami ng oportunidad para lumaban, para magkaroon kami ng spot sa Olympic qualifiers… Malaking bagay ‘yun sa amin,” said Animam.
“Hindi lang naman ako, I think lahat super excited and talagang ‘yun yung pangarap eh. That’s the dream, that’s the goal, so sana maging maganda ‘yung mapakita namin as a group.”
While a new chapter awaits her in Poland, Animam remains fully committed to national team duties before reporting to Energa Torun.
“Same-same pa rin. Wala namang magbabago. Pupunta ako dun to handle business, to — ayun, para ipakita ‘yung galing ng isang Pilipina and siyempre as a basketball player.”
