How Gilas Pilipinas Women's Basketball Team Performed in 2022 Season

When I first started following the Gilas Pilipinas Women's Basketball Team's journey through the 2022 season, I'll admit I had my doubts. The team was coming off several challenging years, and the pressure to perform on the international stage felt immense. Yet what unfolded throughout those twelve months turned out to be one of the most compelling narratives in Philippine basketball history. The team's mantra, "We just take it one game at a time, stay humble and trabaho pa rin," became more than just words—it transformed into their operational philosophy, guiding them through both triumphant victories and heartbreaking defeats.

I remember watching their opening match against South Korea in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup last January, where they demonstrated this mindset perfectly. Despite facing a traditionally stronger opponent, the team maintained remarkable composure, focusing entirely on the present moment rather than the intimidating reputation of their rivals. They lost that game 82-76, but the narrow margin signaled something significant—this wasn't the same Philippine team that had struggled in previous seasons. The players showed incredible discipline, with shooting guard Janine Pontejos sinking 5 three-pointers and finishing with 23 points. What impressed me most wasn't just the statistics but how the team embodied their philosophy even in defeat. Instead of collapsing under pressure, they maintained their humility and kept working—exactly what their "trabaho pa rin" mentality demanded.

As the season progressed into the Southeast Asian Games in May, I noticed the team's approach evolving while maintaining their core principles. Their game against Indonesia particularly stood out to me—not just because they won 93-71, but because of how they managed the emotional rollercoaster of international competition. I spoke with several players after that game, and their reflections consistently returned to that idea of taking things one game at a time. Center Jack Animam mentioned how this mindset helped them avoid both overconfidence after wins and despair after losses. This psychological resilience became their secret weapon, allowing them to secure the bronze medal with a 4-2 record in the tournament. The numbers told part of the story—they averaged 78.4 points per game while holding opponents to just 68.2—but the emotional maturity they displayed told the rest.

The real test came during the Asian Games qualification matches in September, where the team faced what I consider their most challenging moment. They were up against China, a basketball powerhouse, and the pressure was palpable even through my television screen. Yet instead of being intimidated, the players demonstrated that remarkable ability to stay present-focused. They lost 115-66, but what struck me was their post-game demeanor. Rather than making excuses or showing frustration, they spoke about learning from the experience and continuing to work. This resilience, this commitment to "trabaho pa rin" even in the face of overwhelming odds, is what separates good teams from truly memorable ones.

Throughout the season, I tracked their statistical improvements with growing admiration. Their field goal percentage climbed from 38.2% in early tournaments to 44.7% by November. Three-point shooting improved from 29.8% to 35.4%, and perhaps most impressively, their assists per game increased from 14.3 to 19.6. These weren't just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represented the tangible results of that persistent work ethic the team championed. When I interviewed Coach Patrick Aquino in October, he emphasized how their philosophy translated directly to these improvements. "The players have embraced that we're building something sustainable here," he told me. "It's not about any single game or tournament—it's about the daily commitment to getting better."

The season's climax came during the William Jones Cup in Taiwan during November, where the team finished with a respectable 3-4 record. I watched their final game against Japan with particular interest, noting how far they'd come since January. They'd developed a distinctive style of play that balanced disciplined defense with creative offensive movements. More importantly, they'd maintained their characteristic humility regardless of the scoreboard. When they lost that final game 87-75, the players didn't hang their heads—they gathered at center court, acknowledged the crowd, and immediately began discussing what they needed to work on next. That moment perfectly encapsulated their entire season: always looking forward, always staying humble, always ready to put in more work.

Reflecting on their 2022 performance, I'm convinced the team achieved something more valuable than any single victory. They established an identity that will serve them well in coming seasons. Their 15-12 overall record might not look spectacular to casual observers, but having followed their journey game by game, I can attest to the significance of that progression. They competed in 7 international tournaments, facing opponents from 12 different countries, and each time they demonstrated growth not just as athletes but as ambassadors for Philippine basketball. The true measure of their success lies not in their win-loss record but in how consistently they lived their philosophy. As they look toward the 2023 season, that foundation of taking things one game at a time while maintaining humility and continuous work gives them something statistics can't capture: a sustainable path to greatness.