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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Long-time basketball patron Wongchuking honors Gilas Women

Long-time basketball patron Wongchuking honors Gilas Women

Published Jan 12, 2026 09:27 am

At A Glance

  • Small wonder long-time basketball patron Caesar Wongchuking was over the moon following the Pat Aquino-led Gilas Women's gold-winning victory over the host nation.
It was a double celebration for the Czark Mak Group, led by its president Caesar Wongchuking and executive vice president Angelo Wongchuking, as two of the teams that it has been supporting emerged victorious in their respective leagues. Shown in photo are the members of the Gilas women’s basketball team (April Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, France Mae Cabinbin, Andrea Tongco, Alison Monique del Carmen and Katrina Guytingco) that won the gold in the recent Southeast Asian Games together with their head coach Patrick Aquino and the coaching team, and the Acrocity-MEC team that snatched its 15th title at the Xavier Alumni Basketball League (XABL) led by season MVP Gab Banal, finals MVP Charles Tiu, and former PBA stalwart Joseph Yeo. The dinner celebration was held at the CZM-owned Mt Fuji Japanese Restaurant inside Manila Polo Club. Also joining is MEC Networks president Merrick Chua.
It was a double celebration for the Czark Mak Group, led by its president Caesar Wongchuking and executive vice president Angelo Wongchuking, as two of the teams that it has been supporting emerged victorious in their respective leagues. Shown in photo are the members of the Gilas women’s basketball team (April Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, France Mae Cabinbin, Andrea Tongco, Alison Monique del Carmen and Katrina Guytingco) that won the gold in the recent Southeast Asian Games together with their head coach Patrick Aquino and the coaching team, and the Acrocity-MEC team that snatched its 15th title at the Xavier Alumni Basketball League (XABL) led by season MVP Gab Banal, finals MVP Charles Tiu, and former PBA stalwart Joseph Yeo. The dinner celebration was held at the CZM-owned Mt Fuji Japanese Restaurant inside Manila Polo Club. Also joining is MEC Networks president Merrick Chua.
One of the biggest and toughest wins by Team Philippines in last year’s Thailand SEA Games was produced by Gilas Pilipinas Women. There was no doubt about it considering the trials and tribulations the team had to go through.
Small wonder long-time basketball patron Caesar Wongchuking was over the moon following the Pat Aquino-led Gilas Women’s gold-winning victory over the host nation.
“Galing ni Pat, the program he established for years and the sacrifices he made for the country is finally paying good dividends,” said Wongchuking, who has been supporting Aquino’s team for the longest time.
Apart from reclaiming its regional dominance, Gilas Women also maintained its Division A status in the the FIBA Asia Cup with a 73-70 win over Lebanon 73-70 in their group phase match-up.
That win proved crucial as it earned Gilas Women a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, which will be held in Villeurbanne, France this March.
In recognition of Gilas Women’s successful campaign last year, Wongchuking honored the team last Friday at Mt. Fuji Restaurant inside the Manila Polo Club. It was a double celebration of sort as Wongchuking also a threw a party for members of the Acrocity/MEC team who topped the Xavier Alumni Basketball League for a record 15th title.
“I hope they could make it to the World Cup although it’s quite a tough mission,” added Wongchuking who chairs the Czark Mak Group of Companies that developed Bulacan’s newest commercial, industrial, and lifestyle township Acrocity.
Last year, Wongchuking helped bankroll the staging of the Negros Basketball Association (NBA) Invitational Basketball Tournament, an event that gathered prominent players of Negros who once played in the major collegiate and amateur leagues, and eventually in the PBA.
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