Our national team has seen mixed results ever since the Gilas program began in 2009–and we have to say the same goes for the look of their official gear throughout the years. So here's our definitive ranking of all the Gilas Pilipinas jerseys and a little bit of history about each shirt too.
Spoiler: We don't think this year's version is the best.
2011 and 2012
Design: Bakit may bird? Bakit mukhang government intramurals jersey? BAKIT? No wonder talo sila.
Best Moment: These were the last two years of the team being called Smart Gilas before transitioning to Gilas Pilipinas. There were not a lot of winning moments during this two year span and head coach Rajko Toroman was replaced by Chot Reyes in 2013.
2009
Design: The stylized flag hasn't aged too well in our opinion, but it's good that they stopped trying to include the color yellow or the sun-and-stars motifs starting with this jersey.
Best Moment: This was the first year of the Gilas program and no one was really expecting a group of fresh college graduates to succeed in international basketball. The best thing about it was probably the realization that we finally didn't have to rely on PBA teams loaning their players to the National Team.
2017
Design:
Nobody:
2017 Gilas Jersey: CHOOKS-TO-GO
Best Moment: Gilas definitely took a few steps back after surprising everyone in 2014. This year was our worst finish in the FIBA Asia Cup since 2012 resulting in head coach Tab Baldwin being unceremoniously replaced by Reyes.
2019
Design: The latest from Nike pretty much looks like the 2018 jersey minus the red–and we feel it's hilaw without it. Same for its alternate colorway that just inverts the blue and white.
Best Moment: We'll see how far they go in the FIBA World Cup soon enough, but the team also has a second chance to take home a trophy in this jersey: the 2019 SEA Games right here at home in November.
2014
Design: The side graphic of this jersey had the unfortunate effect of making the entire thing look baggy. Especially with the shorts.
Best Moment: We didn't think we'd see the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup in our lifetime. But Gilas competed in Spain that year and actually won a game against Senegal.
2018
Design: The full trim on the sleeves and collar make this look like an old-school jersey in a good way. That's why 2018's effort kicks off the top three.
Best Moment: Two words: Jordan Clarkson. Seeing the NBA player don the blue and white for the 2018 Asian Cup was cool. It would have been better if we got a medal but seeing Clarkson receive an alley-oop pass from Stanley Pringle was priceless.
2013
Design: This year's unique design was the only one to have bold red highlights on the shoulders and we think it looks perfectly aggressive up there. Top two status confirmed.
Best Moment: We will all remember 2013 as the year we broke the Korean Curse. We beat our longtime Asian rivals which automatically made us qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. We still tear up slightly at the thought.
2016
Design: The GOAT. The red striping on the sides is subtle but still eye-catching on court and the gradient dot treatment on the shoulders is super sleek. More of this please, Nike.
Best Moment: 2016 was definitely not our best year. We tried to qualify for the Olympics via the FIBA OQT but was unsuccessful. At least we looked good trying.