For many of the local players who suited up in the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger, the weekend was less about wins and losses and more about discovering how demanding — and rewarding — the global 3×3 game can be.
Even as Philippine teams bowed out of contention Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, players like Nic Cabañero and Jerrick Ahanmisi came away believing the fast-rising format can still elevate their games moving forward.
Cabañero entered the tournament fresh off his stint with Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 in the recent Asian Beach Games, where the Philippines finished fourth and narrowly missed the podium.
“Super thankful and grateful ako sa experience ko with the Asian Beach Games and of course sa Manila Challenger. Hindi ako makakarating dito kundi dahil kay Ma’am Erica (Dy) and Coach Ryan Guerrero. And of course, si coach Patrick Fran and the rest of the coaches,” said Cabañero.
“Grateful lang talaga ako dahil iba kasi sa feeling pag nag-represent ka sa country. Kaya every time na may mga ganitong call-ups sa akin sa 3×3, take ko talaga yung opportunity doon.”
The former UST standout also believes the 3×3 format is helping sharpen areas of his game that directly translate to traditional basketball.
“And of course, it will help my 5-on-5 game to be developed, especially sa defense and sa offense ko. Mas ma-improve ko siya. And I think feel ko talaga na lalaki pa talaga yung 3×3 dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.
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All three Philippine teams were eliminated early in the 2026 FIBA #3x3CHManila, as Mandaluyong (main draw) led by Jerrick Ahanmisi, Nic Cabanero-led San Juan del Monte, and Jomel Puno-powered Pasay all fell short of advancing#ReadMore
https://t.co/E4d44AdqJz
FIBA 3×3 pic.twitter.com/mCR7C19TAj
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 9, 2026
Cabañero played for SJ Del Monte alongside Aldous Torculas, Gelo Crisostomo, and Lawrence Hawkins. The team absorbed a 21-17 loss to Spain’s Fuengirola before falling to fellow Philippine squad Pasay, 21-18, in the qualifying draw.
Pasay, bannered by Jeff Manday, Zed Etulle, Robbie Herndon, and Jomel Puno, eventually bowed to Fuengirola, 19-13, as the Spanish side advanced to the main draw.
Meanwhile, Mandaluyong — composed of Ahanmisi, Sean Alter, Joseph Eriobu, and Dominick Fajardo — also failed to advance after losses to Germany’s Skyliners and Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.
For Ahanmisi, however, the tournament marked another important chapter in his growing 3×3 journey.
The Terrafirma Dyip guard recently debuted for Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 during the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, where the national team reached the quarterfinals.
“I think it’s a really cool experience for me because it’s my first time in the 3×3 scene and I like it because the 3×3 scene is very electrifying, it has a lot of energy in it,” said Ahanmisi.
“And especially with all of the teams around the world, you really want to know that everybody wants to win, right? So playing everybody, it really makes you better. And anything that I learned from the 3×3, I can bring it to 5-on-5.”
While no local squad advanced, the tournament once again showed how Philippine players are increasingly embracing 3×3 — not just as a side event, but as another pathway for growth on the international stage.
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