THE prestigious FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Trophy made a ceremonial stop on Tuesday at the iconic Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC), located within the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC), as part of its nationwide Trophy Tour.
The RMC, a storied venue that has witnessed countless historic basketball clashes between the Philippines and visiting foreign squads, served as a symbolic backdrop for this leg of the tour.
Now on its third and final stop in the Philippines, the trophy was welcomed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials, alongside members of the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Team—Afril Bernardino, Monique del Carmen, Naomi Panganiban, and Sumayah Sugapong. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy and FIBA Asia Communications Head Magesh Saba were also present.
The ceremonial visit builds anticipation for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, set to take place from July 13 to 20, 2025, in Shenzhen, China.
Excitement is mounting as the Gilas Pilipinas Women prepare to compete in Group B, against powerhouse teams from Australia, Japan, and Lebanon.
The Trophy Tour aims to bring fans closer to the pinnacle of women’s basketball in Asia and celebrate the Philippines’ growing legacy in the sport. The tour kicked off Monday at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex, and later on, traveled to Malolos, Bulacan, the hometown of Gilas standout Jack Animam.
In Malolos, a festive motorcade carried the trophy through the city’s streets, passing by the City Hall and concluding at the historic Barasoain Church—an event blending athletic pride with national heritage.
The tour continued on Wednesday, with stops at key university campuses to inspire the next generation of female athletes. The trophy will be showcased at De La Salle University (DLSU) along Taft Avenue, National University (NU) in Manila, the Arch of the Centuries at University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Blue Eagle Gym at Ateneo de Manila University, and finally, at UP Diliman in Quezon City.
