Youngsters Naomi Panganiban and Gabby Ramos will reinforce the Gilas Pilipinas women's team which will compete in the 2024 William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei, Taiwan starting Saturday, July 6.

Fresh from earning a promotion to Division A of the FIBA U18 Asia, the Filipina cagers graced Tuesday’s PSA Forum with head coach Pat Aquino believing that the two US-based players will add depth to their rotation as they battle elite teams in the Taiwan tournament.

“We've been training already since before pa, may darating na mga Fil-Ams today, sila Kristan Yumul, Kate Bobadilla. We're trying to build young ones na parang i-ready natin sa Division A,” Aquino told the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.

The Jones Cup will serve as a test for Panganiban and Ramos who will banner the youth team in Division A which has powerhouses Australia, China, and Japan in the fold

“We’ve been practicing for almost 2 or 3 months and we know with this program dire-diretso kami,” he added.

Aquino emphasized that the additions of Panganiban and Ramos would help the team in determining the Philippines’ final roster for the FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Rwanda next month.

“It’s trial for the two youngsters, and mga former youth program and ‘yong mga senior, they have to compete with each other to be in the final roster for Rwanda,” he continued. 

Panganiban and Ramos played pivotal roles for the Gilas squad which came from a successful campaign in FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China where it reigned supreme and earned a promotion to Division A.

Panganiban, a San Diego State University newcomer, led the Gilas U18 in scoring with 11.8 points per game, while newly-committed University of Nevada player Ramos anchored the rebounding department with 11.3 per contest.

“We’re excited. We’re in really good shape, we’re just continuing to develop into the system,” Panganiban said.

“It’s a completely different game than we played at home, that’s why we needed  to learn how to play in coach Pat (Aquino's) system. I think it’s a big help for us,” Ramos added.