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Tag: FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers

  • 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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  • Gilas Women open 3×3 World Cup qualifiers campaign 

    Gilas Women open 3×3 World Cup qualifiers campaign 

    There’s barely time to celebrate when bigger stages are waiting. Just days after rewriting history with a silver-medal finish in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team is back on the move—this time with the world in sight.

     

    The same quartet of Kacey Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, and Cheska Apag returns to Singapore on Friday, shifting from continental contenders to global hopefuls as they compete in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup qualifier set on April 11-12.

     

    Momentum is on their side, but so is expectation. Currently ranked No. 19 in the FIBA 3×3 standings, the Filipinas enter the qualifier as one of the higher-ranked teams in the six-nation field—a reflection of their steady rise and recent breakthrough on the Asian stage. 

     

    But rankings offer no shortcuts in a format as unforgiving as 3×3, where every possession carries weight and every game can tilt a campaign.

     

    Their turnaround has been swift. From stepping off the plane in Manila on Monday to quickly resetting for another international push, the grind is real. Dela Rosa even squeezed in academic duties at Ateneo before rejoining the team, a reminder of the balancing act these athletes navigate while carrying national aspirations.

     

    Only three tickets to the World Cup in Warsaw, Poland from June 1-7 are up for grabs. The Philippines finds itself in Pool B alongside host Singapore and Brazil. On paper, it’s a group that demands precision from the start. The Filipinas open against world No. 62 Brazil on April 11 at 3:20 p.m., before facing a tougher test against No. 20 Singapore the following day at 5 p.m.

     

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    Across the bracket, New Zealand, Egypt, and Hungary make up Pool A, setting the stage for a crossover phase that leaves little room for error.

     

    Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas women’s 3×3 program director Ryan Gregorio laid out the path: “top two teams in each pool after Round 1 will advance to the crossover Round 2, where the pool top seeds face the second ranked from the opposite group.”

     

    From there, the stakes only rise. Winners in Round 2 punch their tickets straight to the World Cup, while the losing sides battle for the last remaining berth—one final lifeline to extend the journey to Poland.

     

    The Philippines’ presence in the qualifier itself is already a product of progress, having secured its slot through improved world ranking last year. But after their Asia Cup run, simply qualifying is no longer the goal.

     

    Now, it’s about proving that their rise isn’t a one-tournament surge—but a sign of something bigger taking shape.

     

    With powerhouse nations like Australia, the United States, France, and China already waiting in Warsaw, the road ahead is daunting. But for a team that just showed it can stand among Asia’s best, the next challenge is clear:

     

    Carry that fight onto the world stage.

     

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  • Tantoy Ferrer returns as Gilas Women chase FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers dream after Asia Cup breakthrough

    Tantoy Ferrer returns as Gilas Women chase FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers dream after Asia Cup breakthrough

    Coming off their historic podium finish at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 team now turn their attention to a bigger goal—securing a spot in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.


    Returning to Singapore this week, Gilas Women will carry both momentum and expectation into the qualifiers set on April 11 to 12 at the OCBC Square. With only three slots available for the World Cup in Warsaw, Poland from June 1 to 7, the stakes are significantly higher.

     

    Anchoring the roster are three key holdovers from their Asia Cup run: two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino who was recently named to the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2026 All-Star Team—and former UAAP champion and NU captain Mikka Cacho. Their chemistry and experience will be crucial as the team navigates a tougher field.

     

    But the biggest storyline may revolve around the addition of Reynalyn Ferrer, who steps in for Cheska Apag. Known as “Tantoy,” Ferrer brings not just talent, but a story of resilience and championship pedigree.

     

    A former standout for the UST Growling Tigresses, Ferrer was instrumental in ending the school’s 17-year title drought, delivering 19 points and 14 rebounds in the UAAP Season 86 Finals and earning Finals MVP honors. 

     

    Her leadership and ability to perform under pressure make her a valuable addition to a team aiming to compete on the world stage.

     

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    Her journey, however, has been anything but easy. Just a year before that championship run, Ferrer suffered an ACL injury that sidelined her, making her comeback and Finals MVP performance even more remarkable. 

     

    That experience of adversity and recovery now adds a layer of toughness to the Gilas lineup as they prepare for high-stakes international play.

     

    Ferrer is no stranger to the 3×3 format either, having suited up for Gilas in the Manila Hustle tournament earlier this year and representing the country in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December 2025.

     

    The Philippines enters the qualifiers as the No. 2 seed in Pool B alongside host Singapore and No. 6 Brazil, while Pool A features Hungary, Egypt, and Lithuania. According to FIBA 3×3 rules, the top two teams in each pool will advance to crossover matchups, where the second-ranked teams from opposite pools will battle for the remaining World Cup slots.

     

    Gilas Women will open their campaign against Brazil on April 11 at 3:20 p.m., a crucial first step in their bid to extend their breakthrough year.

     

    With a proven core, a battle-tested newcomer in Ferrer, and momentum from their Asia Cup run, the Filipinas are no longer just competing—they are chasing a place among the world’s best.

     

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  • Gilas Women 3×3 turn focus to World Cup Qualifiers after Asia Cup silver 

    Gilas Women 3×3 turn focus to World Cup Qualifiers after Asia Cup silver 

    Fresh off a historic silver-medal finish in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas Women now turn their attention to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers in Singapore.

     

    The silver medal may have been historic, but for Gilas Pilipinas Women, it was never meant to be the finish line.

     

    Just days after delivering the best-ever result by a Philippine team in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, the Filipinas are already back in pursuit of something even bigger — a return trip to the world stage.

    From April 11 to 12 in Singapore, Gilas Women will take another shot at history in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, where a place in the sport’s biggest global showcase will be up for grabs.

     

    What made their Asia Cup run memorable was not just the silver medal itself, but the way it reset expectations for a program that has steadily climbed in the international 3×3 scene. Instead of simply proving they belong, the Filipinas are now entering the next tournament with genuine pressure and a real opportunity to advance.

     

    This time, they won’t be sneaking up on anyone. The Philippines enters the qualifiers as the highest-ranked team in Pool B at No. 19 in the world, just ahead of host Singapore, which sits at No. 20. Brazil, the third team in the group, is ranked No. 62.

     

    That makes the path to the knockout round clear, but far from comfortable. Only the top two teams from each pool will move on to the crossover phase, where the stakes rise immediately. 

    From there, only the teams that reach the podium will book tickets to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, set for June 1 to 7 in Warsaw, Poland.

     

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    For Gilas Women, the mission is as much about validation as it is qualification.

     

    Their lone previous appearance in the World Cup came back in 2018, when the Philippines hosted the event at the Philippine Arena. That campaign ended with a 17th-place finish, but this version of the national team arrives in a much different place — more seasoned, more battle-tested, and carrying momentum that few Philippine women’s squads have ever had in this format.

     

    The challenge, however, will not end with the group stage. Pool A is expected to be far more punishing, with Hungary ranked No. 13 in the world and Lithuania at No. 22, while Egypt rounds out the bracket. 

     

    Any team that survives the knockout round will likely have to go through one of those two European squads, making every early game in Singapore crucial.

     

    Still, Gilas Women will head back with a core that already knows how to compete under pressure.

    Coach Anton Altamirano is sticking with key holdovers Kacey dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, and Mikka Cacho — the same battle-tested pieces that helped fuel the team’s breakthrough run in the Asia Cup.

     

    The lone change in the lineup comes in the form of added size and versatility. Replacing 5-foot-5 Cheska Apag is 5-foot-9 Tantoy Ferrer, currently ranked as the sixth-best women’s 3×3 player in the Philippines. The move gives the squad another long, mobile option as it prepares for the physically demanding back-to-back battles that define the 3×3 format.

     

    There will be little time to recover or reset. After wrapping up their Asia Cup campaign, the team is set to return home on Monday before flying back to Singapore on April 9 for one more push.

     

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