MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas Girls prospect center Ashlyn Abong has died at the age of 18, the team and head coach Patrick Aquino confirmed on Saturday, June 28.
Per Aquino through a Tiebreaker Times report, the 5-foot-11 center of Nazareth-National University collapsed in practice and died in the hospital despite the best efforts of the school’s medical team to revive her
“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,” the team wrote in a statement.
“Ash, your jersey was #21, but to us, you were one of one. On and off the field you gave everything.”
Abong showed incredible promise in her short stint with the Gilas Girls program, averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 0.5 blocks on 67% shooting in just 10.3 minutes per game in the Philippines’ golden run in FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup Division B exactly a year ago.
Before that, she normed further stellar marks of 9.0 points and 3.7 boards in the Asia Cup qualifiers.
“We’ll miss your smile, your warmth, and the quiet strength you brought into every room and every game. We are very proud of you,” the team statement continued. Thank you for being our teammate, for being our pride, for being Ash. We play for you now. We carry your spirit in every step.”
“Forever our teammate. Forever our #21. Forever Ash.” – Rappler.com