Gilas Youth' and NU-Nazareth School's Ashlyn Abong died on Friday after collapsing during training in NU.
The women’s basketball community was plunged into mourning on Saturday after Gilas Women Youth’s Ashlyn Abong was announced to have passed away at 18 years old.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women’s page made the announcement on social media Saturday morning.
According to Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Patrick Aquino, Abong was training in National University when she collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately did not make it following the ordeal.
Abong played for the NU-Nazareth School girls’ basketball team that finished runner-up in UAAP Season 87, having lost to UST in the finals.
The 18-year-old has also played twice for the national team in youth competitions — the most recent one during the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B, where she helped the team get promoted to Division A.
It marked the first time that all Gilas Pilipinas Women programs are in Division A in Asian-level competition.
During that tournament, Abong had a breakout game against Maldives in the Group Phase where she scored 14 points on a highly efficient 6-of-8 shooting clip. She also had eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
The national team mourned her loss.
“Quiet, kind, and strong — that was Ash. She may not have said much, but she always said hi first. That small act meant everything. It showed her heart — gentle, thoughtful, and always looking out for others,” wrote the Gilas Women on social media.
“Ash, your jersey was #21, but to us, you were one of one. On and off the field you gave everything," they added.
Abong’s death comes days before the national team is set to fly out to Taiwan and China for the William Jones Cup and the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.