The BT Toews era as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Women did not get off to the dream start.
The Philippines suffered a 61-58 collapse against host Mexico in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2028 Olympics on Tuesday morning (Manila time) at Arena Astros in Guadalajara.
Gilas Women led by as many as 15 points but faltered late in the game, allowing Mexico to complete the comeback.
“I think we all feel that we gave that game away. I don’t want to take anything away from Mexico, because they played a good second half, but we feel we gave that game away,” said Toews.
(C) FIBA
With the defeat, Gilas Women’s hopes of advancing to the second round will now hinge on their matchup against Canada on Thursday.
Canada defeated Senegal, 72-57, earlier in the day.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Filipinas, who got off to a flying start.
Jack Animam and Vanessa De Jesus powered the Philippines early, combining for 15 points as Gilas took a 22-16 lead after the opening quarter.
The Philippine lead ballooned to 35-20 with 3:24 remaining in the first half after a De Jesus basket.
Gilas still led by 10, 57-47, midway through the final quarter before Mexico mounted its comeback.
A three-pointer by Mayra Gil, coupled with turnovers by Kacey dela Rosa—including an offensive foul with 2:25 remaining that fouled her out—sparked a huge 12-0 run capped by a Hazel Ramirez basket that put Mexico ahead.
Destiny Pitts then sealed the victory with clutch free throws.
(C) FIBA
“We controlled the rebound, controlled the paint in the first half, and I thought that was key. We also forced a lot of turnovers and got into transition. I think we had 11 second-chance points in the first half, and with a healthy lead. So some of the things we talked about at halftime were to continue to do those things well in the second half,” said Toews.
“And the only other thing we really had to improve on was better flow in our offense, because I thought it was really poor. But in the second half, everything turned upside down. We lost the rebounds, we lost the paint points, we lost the turnovers, we lost, I think, every category. And yet we were still ahead. And then in the time where we need to close as a team, we continued to make silly mistakes, like offensive fouls on screens, at least two or three. And it was just a parade to the free-throw line.”
De Jesus finished with 15 points, scoring only two in the second half, on 5-of-14 shooting.
“Just to agree with Coach, I feel like we came out in the beginning ready. We knew the scout, we pushed the ball, we played well on defense, but the second half, it’s always about the first three minutes, and I feel like we didn’t come out ready from the start, and I kind of set the tone for the rest of the half on both ends. And for us, it’s just about getting back, being ready for those moments,” said De Jesus.
“In the second half, 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 moving forward.”
Animam added 14 points and six rebounds, while Dela Rosa grabbed 10 rebounds and scored six points before fouling out.
Anisa Jeffries led Mexico with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Ramirez added 12 points.
The Scores:
Mexico 61 – Jeffries 17, Ramirez 12, Pitts 12, Gil 7, Valenzuela 7, Lagunas 6, Rodriguez 0, Chavez 0, Carrasco 0.
Philippines 58 – De Jesus 15, Animam 14, Dignadice 8, Dela Rosa 6, Ozar 5, Joson 5, Surada 2, Bernardino 2, Pastrana 1, Rodriguez 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 37-25, 57-50, 61-58.
