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Gilas Girls' Panganiban, Ramos get seniors' call-up for Jones Cup

Naomi Panganiban and Gabby Ramos, standout members of the Gilas Girls team, have received a call-up to join the seniors' squad for this year’s William Jones Cup in Taipei. This significant step comes after their stellar performances in the recent FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup, where they played pivotal roles in securing the Division B title for the Philippines.

Julie Amos, the head coach of the Gilas Girls, announced the inclusion of Panganiban and Ramos during a forum hosted by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. The two young talents will be joining the seniors' team, which is under the guidance of coach Pat Aquino. The team is set to depart for Taipei on Friday to compete in the tournament.

Coach Amos expressed her excitement and optimism about the future of these young athletes. "We have been looking for players who can transition to the women’s division, and Naomi and Gabby have proven their capability. They will be playing next week and will be part of the women’s program under coach Pat for the Jones Cup," she said.

Panganiban and Ramos were instrumental in the Gilas Girls' successful campaign in Shenzhen, China, which led to their promotion to Division A. Panganiban, an 18-year-old guard, was a standout scorer throughout the tournament, finishing fifth in overall scoring. Her remarkable 25-point performance in the semifinal against Lebanon was a highlight of her campaign. Standing at 5-foot-4, Panganiban also showcased her playmaking skills, ranking fifth in assists in Division B with an average of four per game.

Ramos, a 17-year-old forward standing at 6 feet, dominated the boards, averaging 11.3 rebounds per game, the third-highest in the tournament. Her exceptional rebounding was on full display during the semifinal game against Lebanon, where she pulled down 19 rebounds, helping secure a crucial victory for the team.

The Gilas Women’s seniors team will face a tough challenge in the Jones Cup, competing against teams from Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and two squads from the host nation, Chinese Taipei. The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the team with the best record being crowned the champion.

Coach Aquino welcomed the addition of Panganiban and Ramos to the seniors' pool, emphasizing the potential and talent present in the Gilas Girls squad. "We just had to select two from this group for now, but all of them have the potential to play at this level. I’m thrilled to have Naomi and Gabby with us. They still have room to grow, and I believe they can compete well in the seniors division. This is the future of women’s basketball in our country," he said.

The inclusion of Panganiban and Ramos in the seniors' team marks a significant milestone in their young careers and reflects the growing strength and depth of women’s basketball in the Philippines. Their journey from the Gilas Girls to the seniors' team is a testament to their hard work, talent, and determination.