Gilas Women's Jack Animam. File photo from FIBA
MANILA — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Tuesday the composition of Gilas Women's training pool for the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Returning for Gilas duties is Jack Animam, who will be joined by two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa and former NCAA Division 1 veteran Vanessa de Jesus.
Also in the list are Afril Bernardino, Tin Cayabyab, Monique del Carmen, Sophia Dignadice, Jhaz Joson, Camille Malagar, Louna Ozar, Kent Pastrana, Ann Pingol, Janine Pontejos, Tiffany Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Jaz Salon, and Angel Surada.
Animam recently won the 2026 Women's Japan Basketball League title with the Denso Iris, while dela Rosa has been suiting up in the 3x3 circuit.
SBP executive director Erika Dy said that this pool will be training in Las Vegas, USA, and will be trimmed into a 12-woman roster before heading to the Mexico tourney.
"12-woman roster ang dadalhin natin sa Mexico," she said during the the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The Las Vegas camp will solely be a training camp, and no tuneup matches will be held, said Dy, as she also explained that naturalized player Elizabeth Means will solely be in the 3x3 program, and will not be joining the 5-v-5 squad, as previously underscored.
"As noted before, she [Elizabeth Means] is primarily for our 3x3 program," said Dy.
Gilas Women is currently supervised by coach BT Toews, who succeeded former head tactician Pat Aquino.