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Tag: FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026

  • Gilas Women facing uphill climb after tough opening day at FIBA 3×3 World Cup

    Gilas Women facing uphill climb after tough opening day at FIBA 3×3 World Cup

    The margin for error has quickly disappeared for Gilas Pilipinas Women at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

     

    After earning their place in Warsaw through a breakthrough Asia Cup campaign last year, the Filipinas arrived on the world stage hoping to prove they belonged among the sport’s elite. Instead, they now find themselves staring at a must-win situation after dropping both of their opening assignments on Day 1.

     

    Gilas suffered a 14-11 loss to World No. 15 Latvia before running into a powerhouse German squad that handed them a 22-10 defeat on Monday evening (Manila time) at the Palace of Culture and Science in Poland.

     

    The twin setbacks dropped the Philippines to the bottom of Pool C and significantly raised the stakes heading into the final two group-stage games.

     

    While the results were disappointing, the opening loss against Latvia offered a glimpse of the fight that helped Gilas reach the World Cup in the first place.

     

    The Filipinas stayed within striking distance for most of the contest and trailed by only two points midway through the game. Latvia eventually created breathing room after a crucial two-pointer from Paula Cirsa pushed the lead to 12-6 with just over two minutes remaining.

     

    Rather than fold, Gilas mounted one final push.

     

    Kacey Dela Rosa answered with consecutive baskets before Camille Clarin knocked down a two-pointer with 22 seconds left to trim the deficit to just three.

     

    But Latvia managed to deliver the final blow through Marta Miščenko, who sealed the victory and denied the Filipinas a dramatic comeback.

     

    Dela Rosa paced Gilas with five points and three rebounds, while Mikka Cacho and Clarin chipped in three and two points, respectively.

     

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    If Latvia tested the Philippines’ resilience, Germany exposed the gap between a rising program and one of the world’s established contenders.

     

    The sixth-ranked Germans dictated the tempo from the opening possession and dominated inside, scoring half of their 22 points in the paint.

     

    Ama Degbeon led the charge with 10 points, while Laura Zolper and Britta Daub combined for 11 more as Germany cruised to its second victory of the tournament.

     

    Cacho and Dela Rosa finished with four points each for Gilas.

     

    The losses leave the Philippines in a precarious position in a group where only the top three teams advance to the knockout stage.

     

    Germany currently sits atop Pool C at 2-0, with Latvia also in strong position after its opening victory. Meanwhile, China and Italy remain directly in the Filipinas’ path toward survival.

     

    That makes Wednesday’s schedule more than just another day of competition.

     

    It could define Gilas Women’s entire World Cup campaign.

     

    The Filipinas will return from a rest day to face China at 12:30 p.m. before taking on Italy at 2:45 p.m., knowing that their hopes of extending their stay in Warsaw may depend on finding a way to finally break through.

     

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  • Elizabeth Means eager for Gilas Women debut after Filipino citizenship approval 

    Elizabeth Means eager for Gilas Women debut after Filipino citizenship approval 

    For Elizabeth Means, the journey to wearing a Gilas Pilipinas jersey is no longer a distant dream, it is now only a matter of time.

     

    After the measures concerning her naturalization officially lapsed into law, the 23-year-old forward is finally cleared to represent the Philippines, marking a major turning point in her basketball career and international aspirations.


    Now in the final stretch before her anticipated debut with Gilas Pilipinas Women, Means has made her intentions clear: she is fully committed and ready to embrace the national team stage.

     

    “I’m getting super excited to get to play with the Gilas and to represent the Philippines. Philippines really feels like home now and so I’m excited to get to play after practicing for so long and get to help the team be stronger,” Means said.

     

    Originally from the United States and a standout for Westminster University, Means has been training with the national pool since arriving in the country. While she has yet to officially appear on a roster, her presence in practice has already started to shape the team’s dynamics.

     

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    Gilas Women head coach Anton Altamirano has seen her steady improvement firsthand, noting how quickly she has adapted to the system and elevated her comfort level within the group.

     

    “I’ve seen her really improve drastically from the time last year na pagdating niya. I saw glimpses [before at] ngayon na lalabas na talaga niya. I think she’s getting more comfortable with the 3×3 game and also she’s getting comfortable with her teammates,” Altamirano said.

     

    Her arrival also gives the national team a valuable boost in size and versatility, especially alongside key local standout Kacey Dela Rosa, strengthening Gilas Women’s frontcourt depth in a way the program has long needed.

     

    But for Means, the growth hasn’t been one-sided. While adjusting to the speed and physicality of Philippine basketball, she says she has also improved significantly by training alongside her new teammates and learning the local style of play.

     

    Although her formal journey with Gilas began only about a year ago, her connection to the Philippines carries a deeper, more personal history. While she does not have Filipino blood, she traces part of her family’s story to the country through her grandfather, whose roots include time spent in Naga City during his early years.

     

    That background has given her a sense of belonging that goes beyond basketball, making her upcoming debut even more meaningful.

     

    In the coming weeks, she is set to continue her buildup through the Cebu Hustle 3×3, where she will suit up for Pilipinas Aguilas alongside other members of the national pool.

     

    Meanwhile, other Gilas Women standouts such as Kacey Dela Rosa, Mikka Cacho, Camille Clarin, and Afril Bernardino are preparing for their campaign in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland from June 1 to 7, keeping the program active on multiple international fronts.

     

    With Gilas Women rarely fielding a naturalized player without Filipino lineage, Means is aware of the expectations—but also motivated to prove that her presence can make a difference.

     

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  • Afril Bernardino, Kacey dela Rosa headline Gilas’ new pool for 3×3 push

    Afril Bernardino, Kacey dela Rosa headline Gilas’ new pool for 3×3 push

    As Gilas Pilipinas Women gears up for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, the focus has shifted from short-term rosters to long-term sustainability. At the center of that vision stand two players from different generations, bound by the same responsibility: carry the standard and raise it even higher.

     

    Afril Bernardino and Kacey Dela Rosa headline a 13-player pool tasked to represent the country on the global stage from June 1-7, a mix that reflects both experience and evolution in Philippine women’s basketball.

     

    For coach Anton Altamirano, the group is more than just a selection—it’s a statement of direction.

    Joining Bernardino and Dela Rosa in the pool are Camille Clarin, Mikka Cacho, Tantoy Ferrer, Kaye Pingol, Cheska Apag, Gabi Bade, Camille Malagar, Amyah Espanol, Jam Meniano, Louna Ozar, and Elizabeth Means.

     

    Recent results have only strengthened belief in the program’s trajectory. The quartet of Bernardino, Dela Rosa, Cacho, and Apag turned heads at the FIBA Women’s 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore, finishing second in a breakthrough run. Shortly after, with Ferrer stepping in for Apag, the team secured a World Cup berth through the qualifiers—another milestone in quick succession.

     

    What makes this stretch more significant is how it has redefined roles. Bernardino, long recognized as a pillar in 5×5, has seamlessly transitioned into the faster, more physical demands of 3×3. Altamirano credited SBP 3×3 director Ryan Gregorio for making that shift possible, calling Bernardino the face of the country’s women’s basketball movement. Her selection to the Asia Cup mythical three only reinforced her impact in the new format.

     

    Alongside her is Dela Rosa, coming off an FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers Women’s Team nod, a rising force whose versatility is reshaping expectations for frontcourt players. At just 22, the two-time UAAP MVP has evolved into a complete weapon—equally comfortable initiating plays as she is finishing them.

     

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    Altamirano pointed out how rare it is to find a player of her size with the ability to handle, attack, and defend across multiple positions—qualities that make her an ideal fit for the unpredictability of 3×3.

     

    Together, they form the spine of a team that is no longer content with simply competing. It’s chasing something bigger.

     

    Altamirano believes the current momentum places Gilas in a strong position to contend for a spot in the expanded 12-team field for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

     

    “Five slots, one for Asia, will be allocated based on federation ranking points, one will be for the host and the last six will be picked from four Olympic qualifying tournaments (from March to June, 2028),” said Altamirano. “Our participation in the World Cup will enhance our ranking points.”

    That pursuit, however, leaves little room for downtime.

     

    Even before stepping onto the World Cup stage, Gilas is set for a packed international calendar—competing in the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, multiple stops in the FIBA 3×3 World Series across Chengdu, Manila, and Shanghai, as well as the Asia Pacific U21 and U23 Nations League.

    The grind doesn’t stop there. “We’ll also play in the Asian Games so the calendar will keep us busy the whole year,” said Altamirano.

     

    And that may be exactly what this team needs. Because for Gilas, the journey to Warsaw isn’t the destination—it’s part of a much bigger climb.

     

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  • Gilas Women punch FIBA 3×3 World Cup ticket with gritty win over Singapore

    Gilas Women punch FIBA 3×3 World Cup ticket with gritty win over Singapore

    The journey didn’t end with a silver medal—it demanded one more fight. Just a week after making history in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team found itself back on the same floor in Singapore, this time with everything on the line. No podium finish, no safety net—just one last ticket to the World Cup.

     

    And when the moment called for it, the Filipinas delivered.

     

    Behind a commanding 21-10 victory over host Singapore at the OCBC Arena on Sunday, Gilas secured the third and final berth to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland from June 1-7—completing a rapid rise from regional contender to global qualifier.

     

    This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement of resilience. The path to that moment had been anything but smooth. Despite topping Pool A with a split of results—including a tough 16-13 loss to Brazil—the Filipinas were forced into a crossover clash against Lithuania, where a 21-16 defeat denied them an outright World Cup slot.

     

    That loss could have derailed their campaign. Instead, it set the stage for redemption.

     

    Facing Singapore in a do-or-die battle for the final ticket, Gilas left no doubt this time. The game never tilted in the hosts’ favor as the Filipinas imposed their pace early and never let go.

     

    At the center of it all was a blend of experience and youth.

     

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    Afril Bernardino once again proved why she remains the heartbeat of the team, delivering crucial plays that steadied the group in high-pressure moments. Alongside her, Kacey Dela Rosa controlled the interior, turning the paint into a consistent source of advantage.

     

    For Bernardino, the moment carried deeper meaning. “I can’t imagine I’m still here playing,” she said. “But I don’t feel old because they gave me a chance to play with these young players.”

     

    That connection between generations defined this run. Mikka Cacho added four points in the win, even after briefly exiting due to a left knee scare before returning to finish the game—a reflection of the team’s refusal to back down. Reynalyn Ferrer rounded out the lineup, each player embracing their role in a performance built on collective effort.

     

    The victory also completed a sweep of Singapore in the tournament, following a tight 21-19 win in pool play a day earlier.

     

    More importantly, it marked the Philippines’ return to the 3×3 World Cup for the first time since hosting the event in 2018—a team where Bernardino was also a key figure.

     

    From that squad, she is now the lone holdover. What has changed is everything around her—the teammates, the journey, the expectations.

     

    What hasn’t is the fight. In the span of a week, Gilas Women transformed a historic silver medal finish into something even bigger: a chance to compete against the world’s best once more.

     

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