Elizabeth Means will finally don the Gilas Pilipinas uniform as a naturalized player for the first time at the Asian Games.
California-born Means will make her debut as a naturalized player in Nagoya after securing Philippine citizenship through the Republic Act 12319 last July. She now takes center stage for Gilas Women, who will enter the Asian Games without Vanessa De Jesus and Jack Animam, two of the team's top players during the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Asian Games will also mark Means' first tournament under Gilas Women head coach BT Toews, who took over from former tactician Pat Aquino.
"I'm going to Japan with my team and we want to move forward," Toews said after Gilas' 79-75 victory over Senegal, the Philippines' lone win in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico.
Joining Means on the 12-woman roster are Afril Bernardino, Stef Bernabe, Camille Clarin, Monique Del Carmen, Jhazmin Joson, Camille Malagar, Kent Pastrana, Janine Pontejos, Karl Ann Pingol, Angel Surada and Hazelle Yam.
Notable omissions include De Jesus, Louna Ozar, Animam, Sophia Dignadice and Alyssa Rodriguez.
Kacey Dela Rosa will also miss the five-on-five tournament as she joins the women's 3x3 squad.
Means is no stranger to representing the Philippines internationally, as she has been part of the national team's 3x3 program over the past year.
She battled through a shoulder injury last July before Gilas Women bowed out of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Jinan Stop in China.
At six feet, Means gives Gilas added size, physicality and strength on both ends of the floor, attributes she has further developed through her experience in 3x3 basketball.
She played NCAA Division II basketball for the Seattle Pacific Falcons from 2020 to 2022 before transferring to the Westminster Griffins, where she played from 2022 to 2024.
Now 23, Means could be a natural fit in Toews' high-paced system, having already grown accustomed to the speed and physical demands of the 3x3 game.
Her arrival also gives Toews another chance to evaluate the depth of his player pool. While Gilas will be without several key pieces from the Mexico campaign, the Asian Games roster gives the new coach another group to work with as he continues shaping the national program.
"That's another chance for us to learn," Toews said in Mexico.
"It's another chance for us to compete but we want to win more than anything else.
The Asian Games will also give Toews another opportunity to strengthen his system, establish clearer roles and build on the progress Gilas showed in Mexico.
The victory over Senegal remains his win with the national team.
"One game doesn't give you an identity but we're definitely headed in the right direction," Toews said.
"We need to play with passion which is something that the Gilas team always does and fight."
In the continental showcase, Gilas Women will look to improve on their fifth-place finish at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Victories in the team's first two games, vs. Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, will be crucial to Gilas' hopes of finishing in the top five again.
The matchup against Japan, meanwhile, will offer a much clearer picture of just how far the Philippines has come under Toews.
Gilas Pilipinas Women at the Asian Games
The Philippines has been drawn in Group B and will play Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and Japan.
The top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stages.
Fixtures
Sept. 17: Philippines vs. Kazakhstan
Sept. 20: Philippines vs. Hong Kong
Sept 22: Philippines vs Japan
Tournament progression:
Quarterfinals: Sept. 24
Semifinals: Sept. 25
Final: Sept. 26