Gilas Youth Tryouts to be held in Pampanga

The Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas has announced that the last round of the tryouts for Gilas Pilipinas Youth team will be held in Pampanga. 

Virgilio “Gil” Cortez, the SBP Regional Director for Region 3 relayed to the Philippine Basketball Diaries that the Youth Boys open tryouts will be held on Sunday, March 08, 2026, at the Pampanga State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Cortez reminded the potential participants that they should be born no earlier than January 01, 2008 to qualify. Local talents should bring a photocopy of their PSA birth certificate while Fil-Foreign players are to bring their birth registration. If applicable, applicants must also a submit a photocopy of their passport. Under FIBA eligibility rules, Fil-Foreign players must have their Philippine passport before the age of 18 years old. 

The Philippines won the first 5 stagings of the FIBA Asia U-18 tournament starting 1970. They lost the crown to China in the 1980 staging but the Filipinos, led by Coach Ron Jacobs and a roster made up of Hector Calma, Alfie Almario, Jong Uichico, Teddy Alfarero, Jun Tan, Rey Cuenco, Louie Brill, Richard Mendoza, Leo Austria, Tonichi Yturri, Derrick Pumaren and Elmer Reyes (Naning Valenciano as alternate), exacted vengeance by pulling off a 10-game sweep, including a convincing 74-63 victory over the Chinese youth team on the final day of competitions. That was the last time the Philippines won the said tournament.

The tryouts will start promptly at 9 in the morning. Registration begins at 7AM. 

The Gilas Pilipinas Youth boys tryouts is sponsored by SMART Communications, PLDT, Cali Shandy, Adidas, Cignal TV, the MVP Sports Foundation, Molten and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).