The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has officially named Canadian coach Burke Toews as the new head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s national basketball team, marking the start of a new chapter for the program.

His appointment ends the 11-year tenure of former head coach Pat Aquino, who will now shift to a different role within the federation focusing on grassroots development and talent identification.Toews, widely known as BT, brings decades of experience as both a player and coach.He played collegiate basketball at the University of Winnipeg and later pursued a professional playing career in Canada and Germany.

He eventually transitioned into coaching, obtaining his coaching credentials over several years before establishing a long career in Japan, where he has lived for more than three decades.His coaching résumé includes stints in Japan’s basketball system, including roles with the Hyogo Storks in the B.League second division and later with Fujitsu Red Wave in the Japan Women’s Basketball League.

Under his leadership, Fujitsu achieved significant success, winning back-to-back league championships in 2024 and 2025, as well as the 2025 Empress Cup.He also coached other Japanese teams such as the Sun Rockers Shibuya and Toyama Grouses.

Toews is also well regarded for his player development work, having contributed to the growth of standout athletes like Rui Machida and Yuki Miyazawa, both of whom have excelled in international competitions.

His influence extends to his own family, with his son Kai Toews playing professionally in Japan and representing the national team, while another son, Luka, has competed at the collegiate level in the United States.

With Gilas Women entering a transitional phase and a new generation of players emerging, Toews is expected to bring a structured, development-focused approach influenced by Japanese basketball systems.

Young Filipino talents such as Kacey dela Rosa, Kent Pastrana, and Ella Fajardo are among those who could benefit from his experience and coaching philosophy.