When Gilas Pilipinas Women needed one final play to keep its campaign alive, Mikka Cacho made sure the moment belonged to the Philippines.
The National University standout came through with a game-winning and-one in the closing seconds as Gilas stunned world No. 20 Japan, 17-15, to secure a quarterfinal berth in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series-Batam Stop on Thursday at Alun-Alun Batam Centre in Indonesia.
With the victory, the Filipinas kept their tournament hopes alive after surviving a day filled with pressure-packed games, earning a date with Thailand in Friday’s knockout stage.
The dramatic finish capped a back-and-forth contest that came down to the final possession.
Holding a slim 15-14 advantage with seven seconds remaining, the Philippines saw Japan pull even after Miku Takahashi drove to the basket for the tying layup.
Instead of settling for overtime, Cacho attacked immediately on the next possession, taking on Takahashi at the rim and converting a clutch and-one play with just 2.6 seconds left to restore the lead, 17-15.
Japan still had one last opportunity to force overtime, but Ufuoma Tanaka’s corner two-point attempt at the buzzer missed its target, allowing Gilas Women to celebrate one of its biggest victories of the tournament.
Tantoy Ferrer paced the Filipinas with seven points, while Cacho added six points and five rebounds, delivering her biggest basket when it mattered most.
The win completed a demanding day for the Philippine squad, which first had to survive the qualifying draw just to reach the main tournament.
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Gilas opened the qualifiers by dismantling Vietnam, 21-11, before escaping Slovakia, 16-15, to earn a place in the main draw. Ferrer starred with eight points against Slovakia, while Cacho and Camille Clarin chipped in four points apiece.
The Filipinas then opened the main draw against powerhouse France, absorbing a 21-9 defeat that turned their meeting with Japan into a virtual knockout match.
Despite nursing a right shoulder injury, Elizabeth Means continued to suit up and provided valuable minutes throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile, Manila Gilas bowed out in the qualifying draw after close losses to Egypt, 20-18, and Mongolia, 22-18.
Although the team fell short of advancing, newcomer Camille Malagar impressed in her Women’s Series debut, scoring a combined 16 points across the two games while teaming up with Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, and Lee Sario in Batam.
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