The Gilas Pilipinas’ girls program will be charting new territories this year and will be looking for reliable tools to make sure it stays there.

A two-day tryouts have been set by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for the U-16 squad from April 7 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum for prospects born not after Jan. 1, 2009, which will be held with Pat Aquino, the program director, set to oversee it together with coach Julie Amos.

“I’m excited for the new batch of youth players that we are going to see. They are going to be the future of Gilas,” Aquino told the Inquirer on Friday. “I’m also excited for the tournament because it’s our first time to compete in Fiba’s Division A.”

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Interested parties can reach SBP’s Xander Gubat through [email protected].

Playing heavyweights

The U-16 squad, then coached by Ai Lebornio and led by standouts Ava Fajardo, Nevaeh Smith, Kimi Sayson and Kelly Nair, swept the Division B showcase in Amman, Jordan, back in 2023. That feat ultimately sent the Philippines to the top-flight division littered with powerhouses Japan, China and three-time and reigning champion Australia.

The Nationals will now get to test their mettle against those regional heavyweights, along with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and old tormentor Samoa, in yet-to-be-announced dates in Malaysia.