SBP names Burke 'BT' Toews as new Gilas Pilipinas Women coach

MANILA, May 24 ------ After months of searching, Gilas Pilipinas Women have a new head coach.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced that Canadian Burke "BT" Toews has been hired as the new Gilas Women head coach. He replaces longtime Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino, who the SBP earlier said will transition into a new role focused on talent identification and grassroots development.

Toews is former basketball player and coach from Winnipeg, Canada, but is currently based in Japan. According to the SBP, the bench tactician just concluded his stint with the Fujitsu Red Waves in Women's Japan Basketball League. Toews led the Red Waves to back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025, while also winning the prestigious All-Japan Championship.

In his ten seasons with the Red Waves, Toews steered the team to five finals appearances and earned three Coach of the Year awards. Gilas Women are currently number 30 in the world in the latest FIBA rankings. The Nationals are coming off a historic win against Colombia, a non-Asian team in the FIBA Women's World Cup qualifiers.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com