For three games, Gilas Pilipinas Women kept searching for a breakthrough.
On the final day of its campaign in Warsaw, that breakthrough finally arrived.
With its hopes of reaching the knockout stage already gone, the Philippine squad found something else worth celebrating — a landmark victory on one of the biggest stages in international 3×3 basketball.
Powered by a long-awaited shooting explosion from Camille Clarin, Gilas Pilipinas Women closed out its 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup campaign with a historic 17-13 upset of World No. 11 Italy on Wednesday night (Manila time).
The victory not only prevented a winless finish but also delivered the Philippines’ first triumph in the tournament, giving the team a memorable reward for its persistence against some of the world’s best programs.
After struggling to find her rhythm through the opening games, Clarin saved her best performance for last.
The former National University standout transformed the contest with her outside shooting, repeatedly punishing Italy from beyond the arc and providing the offensive spark Gilas had been missing throughout the tournament.
Clarin drilled four two-pointers and finished with eight points, accounting for nearly half of the Philippines’ total output. Her biggest shot came with just 22 seconds left, a dagger from distance that effectively sealed the upset and sent the Filipina bench into celebration.
The victory did not come without tension.
Italy mounted a late charge and trimmed the deficit to 15-13 after Caterina Gilli completed an and-one play with just over a minute remaining. But every time the Italians threatened to take control, Gilas found an answer.
Clarin delivered the decisive blow, while veteran leader Afril Bernardino provided stability inside with four points and six rebounds.
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BREAKING NEW GROUND
Gilas Pilipinas Women etched their names in the Philippine basketball history, securing the team’s first-ever victory in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup after defeating world no. 11 Italy, 17-13, in Pool C of the 2026 tournament.#GilasPilipinas #FIBA #3x3WC pic.twitter.com/JkBKApsgkJ
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 3, 2026
Mikka Cacho added three points, while Kacey Dela Rosa chipped in two as the Filipinas completed one of the most significant wins in the program’s young history.
The result was especially meaningful considering the disappointment earlier in the day.
Gilas showed flashes of potential against powerhouse China, racing to an early 6-1 lead and briefly putting one of Asia’s traditional contenders on the defensive. The Chinese eventually settled down and pulled away for a 20-12 victory, officially ending the Philippines’ chances of advancing.
Yet instead of letting that defeat define their tournament, the Filipinas responded with their most complete performance.
The final standings show Gilas finishing fourth in Pool C with a 1-3 record, narrowly missing out on the knockout rounds reserved for the top three teams.
But beyond the numbers, the campaign offered something equally valuable: proof that the Philippines can compete and win against established programs on the world stage.
And fittingly, it ended with a piece of history.
In a tournament filled with lessons, challenges, and growing pains, Gilas Women left Warsaw with a breakthrough victory that may prove just as important as any medal — a reminder that the gap between the Philippines and the world’s elite continues to shrink.
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