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  • This Week’s Sports Fixtures: PBA, PVL On Tour, and Gilas Pilipinas U18 (August 10 – August 16)

    This Week’s Sports Fixtures: PBA, PVL On Tour, and Gilas Pilipinas U18 (August 10 – August 16)

    It will be another busy stretch for Philippine sports, with volleyball and basketball taking center stage across several competitions. The PVL On Tour heads to Lanao del Norte, Alas Pilipinas Girls continue their international campaigns in Chile, Gilas Pilipinas Boys begin their FIBA U18 Asian Championship campaign in Ahmedabad, while the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup rolls on with another set of crucial matchups.

     

    PVL On Tour

     

    Saturday, August 15 – Lanao del Norte

    • 4:00 p.m. – Farm Fresh Foxies vs. NXLED Chameleons
    • 6:30 p.m. – PLDT High Speed Hitters vs. Akari Chargers

     

    Alas Pilipinas Girls

     

    FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship – San Felipe, Chile

    • Monday, August 10 | 5:00 p.m. – Philippines vs. Peru
    • Tuesday, August 11 | 2:00 p.m. – Philippines vs. Venezuela

    FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship – Ahmedabad, India

    • Thursday, August 13 | 4:00 p.m. – Philippines vs. Chinese Taipei
    • Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 p.m. – Philippines vs. Australia

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    Join us this week at Ynares, Antipolo and Smart Araneta Coliseum before we take a break! #PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/jTSnBFx4xj

    — PBA (@pbaconnect) August 10, 2026

    PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup

     

    Tuesday, August 11 – Ynares Center, Antipolo

    • 5:15 p.m. – Converge FiberXers vs. Terrafirma Dyip
    • 7:30 p.m. – NLEX Road Warriors vs. TNT Tropang 5G

    Wednesday, August 12 – Ynares Center, Antipolo

    • 5:15 p.m. – Titan Ultra Giant Risers vs. San Miguel Beermen
    • 7:30 p.m. – Magnolia Hotshots vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters

    Friday, August 7 – Smart Araneta Coliseum

    • 5:15 p.m. – Converge FiberXers vs. NLEX Road Warriors
    • 7:30 p.m. – Meralco Bolts vs. Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings

    With several national teams and domestic clubs in action, fans have plenty to follow across the week. From the international stage in Chile and India to the local courts and the PVL’s provincial stop, these fixtures offer a packed schedule of Philippine sporting action.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Boys reload with five new faces for U18 Asian Championship

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys reload with five new faces for U18 Asian Championship

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys will enter the 2026 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship with a different look and a much bigger prize in sight.

     

    Five new players have been brought into the Philippine lineup for the continental tournament, adding fresh size, versatility, and international experience to a core that helped the country dominate the SEABA U18 qualifiers in Thailand last June.

     

    Among the newcomers are 6-foot-7 Filipino-American Elias Gish of Far Eastern University, 6-foot-5 Filipino-Canadian Aidan Dayco-Green, 6-foot-7 Ateneo big man Jacob Lacson, 5-foot-11 Filipino-Australian Luke Atacador, and 6-foot-2 University of Perpetual Help guard Sizco Roquid.

     Their inclusion gives head coach Juno Sauler additional options as the Philippines prepares for a significantly tougher test at the Asian level.

     

    The five will join seven players who were part of the SEABA squad: Prince Carino, Ethan Aguas, JB Cagurungan, Andrew Chio, Chog Moral, Pat Pasinos, and Bruce Tubongbanua.

     

    This is essentially the same group that secured the Philippines’ place in the Asia Cup after sweeping the SEABA U18 qualifiers in Thailand last June. The challenge now, however, is no longer simply about winning a regional competition. The young Filipinos will have to navigate a group that includes one of the continent’s perennial powerhouses.

     

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    The Philippines is drawn in Group A with Australia, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand, setting up a demanding opening stretch.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys will begin their campaign on August 13 against Chinese Taipei, before facing Australia on August 15. They will close out the group stage against Thailand on August 17.

     

    The format makes every group game important. The team that finishes first in each group will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams will need to survive the play-in round to reach the last eight.

     

    Beyond advancing in the tournament, there is an even bigger incentive as the top four finishers will qualify for the 2027 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Pardubice, Czech Republic, giving the Philippine squad a chance to turn a strong Asian Championship run into a ticket to the global stage.

     

    The roster changes also mark a significant transition from the Philippine team that competed in the previous continental tournament. Five players, Ziv Espinas, Kyle Sardon, Hans Patagoc, Louis Razon, and SEABA qualifiers MVP Joaquin Tovera will no longer be part of the current lineup.

     

    That leaves Sauler and his staff tasked with blending the returning players with a new group quickly, particularly with Australia looming as the toughest opponent in the group.

     

    The Philippines will also be looking to improve on its most recent showing in the competition. In the previous edition, the team, then coached by Josh Reyes, finished 10th with a 1-3 record.

     

    The tournament runs from August 13 to 23 in Ahmedabad, India, and for this new-look Gilas Pilipinas Boys squad, the opening games could determine whether the team settles for another continental campaign or pushes deep enough to secure a place among Asia’s best and punch its ticket to the 2027 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. 

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Boys rally from 14 down to capture bronze in B.League Under-16 Challenge Cup 

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys rally from 14 down to capture bronze in B.League Under-16 Challenge Cup 

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys refused to let their campaign in Japan end on a sour note, producing one final comeback to leave the 2026 B.League Under-16 Challenge Cup with a bronze medal.

     

    After missing out on a place in the championship game, the young Filipinos showed resilience on Thursday, overcoming a 14-point deficit before pulling away late for a 78-72 victory over Fukuoka at Sumida City Gymnasium in Tokyo.

     

    The triumph capped a memorable tournament for Gilas, which recovered from an early setback in the competition and once again displayed the grit that has become its trademark.

     

    Things looked bleak early as Fukuoka dictated the pace and built a double-digit cushion, stretching the lead to as much as 14 points. Even midway through the fourth quarter, Gilas still faced a daunting 68-58 deficit with less than seven minutes left.

     

    Instead of folding, the Filipinos delivered their best stretch of basketball when it mattered most.

    Their defense suffocated Fukuoka down the stretch, limiting the Japanese side to just four points the rest of the way while Gilas unleashed a game-changing 20-4 run.

     

    Brielle Salazar sparked the turnaround, tying the contest at 70-all with a driving layup before coming up with a crucial steal on the next possession. He raced coast-to-coast, absorbed contact, and completed a three-point play that handed Gilas its first lead of the second half, 73-70, with 2:36 remaining.

     

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    Fukuoka refused to go away as Takumichi Uchida answered with a jumper to cut the deficit to a single point, but Gilas remained composed.

     

    Sam Esomchi calmly split a pair of free throws to extend the lead before the defense came through with another stop. Salazar then delivered another huge basket, slicing through the lane for a euro-step layup that pushed the advantage to four with under a minute left.

     

    After Uchida misfired on Fukuoka’s next possession, Dwayne Madrigal cleaned up an Esomchi miss with a putback basket that officially sealed the bronze medal for the Philippines.

     

    Salazar paced Gilas with an all-around performance of 18 points, four steals, three rebounds, and two blocks, while Esomchi continued his impressive tournament with a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double.

     

    Hisham Mampao also provided solid support with 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals.

     

    Uchida finished with 23 points for Fukuoka, while Ryuki Shinozuka added 18 in the losing effort.

     

    The bronze-medal finish capped a strong showing for Gilas Pilipinas Boys, who advanced to the third-place game after placing second in Group A with a 2-1 record. The Filipinos opened the tournament by defeating Chiba, 91-81, stumbled against Ryukyu, 73-66, before bouncing back in emphatic fashion with a 105-79 rout of Tachikawa.

     

    Although a finals berth slipped away, Gilas ended its campaign on a high note, proving its resilience once again with a comeback victory that showcased the promise of Philippine basketball’s next generation.

     

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  • Gilas Boys one win from podium finish after reaching B.League U16 Challenge Cup bronze match 

    Gilas Boys one win from podium finish after reaching B.League U16 Challenge Cup bronze match 

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys remains in contention for a podium finish after navigating a challenging group stage in the 2026 B.League Under-16 Challenge Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

     

    The young Filipino squad secured a place in Thursday’s battle for third after finishing second in Group A with a 2-1 record at Sumida City Gymnasium, setting up a bronze medal showdown against Fukuoka.

     

    The campaign has highlighted the team’s resilience, bouncing back from its lone defeat with an emphatic performance to keep its hopes of bringing home a medal alive.

     

    Gilas opened the tournament by defeating Chiba, 91-81, behind a dominant outing from La Salle Green Hills standout Sam Esomchi, who imposed his will on both ends of the floor with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and two blocks. Dwayne Madrigal and Lawrence Copia also provided solid support with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

     

    Momentum, however, was halted in the team’s second assignment against Ryukyu.

     

    The Filipinos struggled to recover after surrendering the lead just 10 seconds into the contest and eventually trailed by as many as 13 points before halftime. Although Esomchi and Brielle Salazar ignited a comeback attempt after the break, Gilas could not overcome the explosive scoring of Ryukyu’s Eiji Oshiro, who erupted for 36 points, while Yuito Kawamitsu added 26 in a 73-66 victory.

     

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    Instead of allowing the setback to derail its campaign, Gilas responded with its most complete performance of the tournament.

     

    The Filipinos overwhelmed Tachikawa, 105-79, behind a balanced offensive attack that saw six players score in double figures. Lawrence Copia paced the squad with 19 points, while Zap Ong added 17. Jayson Mercado contributed 15, Josh Saga chipped in 14, and both Esomchi and Salazar finished with 12 points apiece.

     

    Through three games, Esomchi has established himself as one of the tournament’s most productive players, averaging 19.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks to lead the national team.

     

    Now, Gilas has one final opportunity to cap its Tokyo campaign on a winning note when it takes on Fukuoka for the bronze medal.

     

    The Philippines will also be looking to continue its strong tradition in the tournament after FEU-Diliman captured the championship in last year’s edition, proving that the country’s next generation of basketball talent can compete with Japan’s best.

     

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  • SBP credits united basketball community as Gilas Boys end eight-year wait for FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 

    SBP credits united basketball community as Gilas Boys end eight-year wait for FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 

    Gilas Pilipinas’ return to the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup was built on more than clutch shots and championship finishes.

     

    According to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the national team’s breakthrough campaign in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 was the result of a collective effort from schools, coaches, sponsors, and basketball stakeholders who put the country’s interests first.

     

    The Philippines punched its ticket to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup after topping the overall standings in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, ending an eight-year absence from the global tournament.

     

    Facing fellow Under-21 squads from Japan, New Zealand, Belarus, Singapore, and host Malaysia, Gilas reached the finals in five of the six stops and captured three championships to finish with 520 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up Japan’s 470.

     

    For SBP Executive Director Erika Dy, the achievement validates the federation’s long-term commitment to developing the country’s 3×3 basketball program.

     

    “Earlier this year, our Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women ended an eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup. Now the boys’ team will also end their own eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup,” said Dy.

     

    “This achievement is further proof that Filipinos are world-class not just in basketball but also in 3×3. With the support of our sponsors and the commitment of stakeholders, the SBP will continue to put our athletes in positions to succeed.”

     

    While the players delivered on the court, SBP 3×3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio emphasized that the campaign would not have been possible without the cooperation of collegiate programs that allowed their athletes to wear the national colors despite conflicting schedules.

     

    “On behalf of the SBP 3×3 program, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the schools, coaches, and team officials who supported Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 by allowing their players to represent the country,” said Gregorio.

     

    He gave special recognition to FEU Athletic Director Mark Molina and head coach Sean Chambers for adjusting the Tamaraws’ United States training camp so Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa could compete for Gilas.

     

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    Gregorio also acknowledged San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua and UST head coach Pido Jarencio for releasing Koji Buenaflor, Adamson mentor Nash Racela for allowing Earl Medina to immediately join the national team, and San Beda officials Jude Roque and Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to suit up despite serving residency.

     

    “We are especially thankful to FEU Athletic Director Mark Molina and Coach Sean Chambers, who deliberately rescheduled their team’s USA training so that Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa could compete in this tournament. Our sincere appreciation also goes to Boss Alfrancis Chua and Coach Pido Jarencio for generously loaning UST big man Koji Buenaflor, to Adamson head coach Nash Racela for immediately allowing Earl Medina to join the national team, and to team manager Jude Roque and Coach Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to represent Gilas even while he is in residency. Their trust, cooperation, and shared commitment to Philippine basketball embody the spirit of ‘one team, one country.’ We truly appreciate their invaluable support.”

     

    The campaign showcased the team’s resilience from start to finish.

     

    After settling for runner-up honors behind Belarus in Stop 1 and missing the podium in Stop 2, Gilas responded with three consecutive titles in Stops 3, 4, and 5, highlighted by dramatic game-winning two-pointers against New Zealand and Japan.

     

    Program partner Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and NLEX also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the country’s 3×3 program as it continues its push toward sustained international success.

     

    “We at MPTC and NLEX send our congratulations to the Gilas 3×3 Boys after their successful campaign in Malaysia,” said NLEX Governor Ronald Dulatre.

     

    “We’re happy to support the SBP’s 3×3 Program from the youth teams all the way to the elite because the goal remains to be an Olympic slot for the Philippines, and investing in our young talent will pay more dividends in the future.”

     

    With the Asia 2 crown secured and their World Cup berth officially booked, Gilas Pilipinas now shifts its focus to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, scheduled from September 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China, where the country’s next generation will look to prove it belongs among the world’s best.

     

     

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  • Gilas Boys punch ticket to FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup with dominant Nations League run

    Gilas Boys punch ticket to FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup with dominant Nations League run

    Even before the final game of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League–Asia 2 Conference, Gilas Pilipinas Boys had already secured the prize they came to Malaysia for—a coveted spot in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup.

     

    The Philippine squad officially booked its place in the global tournament after advancing to the championship round of the sixth and final stop on Sunday at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya.

     

    By reaching another final, Gilas accumulated enough points in the overall conference standings to mathematically eliminate Japan from the race for the lone World Cup berth. The Philippines is guaranteed at least 500 points, while Japan can only finish with a maximum of 490 even if it wins the last stop.

     

    The qualification caps off a week-long campaign that showcased Gilas as one of the most consistent teams in the Asia 2 Conference. The Filipinos reached the championship match in five of the six stops, highlighted by title victories in Stops 3 and 5.

     

    Their final push toward World Cup qualification began with a composed 17-11 victory over New Zealand in the pool stage.

     

    With Earl Medina resting, Jhuniel Dela Rama stepped into the lineup and helped keep the team in rhythm, while Cabs Cabonilas once again emerged as the offensive spark with six points. Jedric Daa and Koji Buenaflor added five points apiece to complete the balanced attack.

     

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    The Philippines left no room for suspense in its second outing.

     

    Cabonilas exploded for 13 points as Gilas overwhelmed Singapore, 20-9, to seal first place in the group and officially punch its ticket to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup, which will be held from September 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China.

     

    The achievement also highlights the steady progress of the Gilas Pilipinas Boys 3×3 program under program director Ryan Gregorio, alongside trainers Kirk Collier, JJ Española, and Patrick Fran.

     

    While the ultimate objective has already been achieved, the Filipinos are not done yet.

    Gilas Pilipinas will still compete in the championship game of the final stop, aiming to finish its memorable Nations League campaign with one more title before shifting its focus to the world stage in China.

     

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  • Gilas Boys surge into joint lead after capturing FIBA 3×3 Nations League Stop 3 title 

    Gilas Boys surge into joint lead after capturing FIBA 3×3 Nations League Stop 3 title 

    Just two days after falling a single basket short of a championship, Gilas Pilipinas Boys made sure there would be no heartbreak this time.


    The young Filipinos completed an unbeaten run in Stop 3 of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 Conference, capping their impressive campaign with a 19-14 victory over Japan in the final on Wednesday at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.


    The championship could prove pivotal in the race for an outright berth to the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup, as the Philippines climbed into a share of first place in the overall conference standings with Belarus. Both teams now have 240 points after three stops, while New Zealand sits just behind with 230 and Japan follows with 220, setting up a tightly contested battle entering the second half of the tournament.


    The Filipinos wasted little time asserting themselves in the title match.


    Cabs Cabonilas, Koji Buenaflor, and Earl Medina combined for a relentless offensive display that built an 18-10 cushion before Gilas comfortably sealed the five-point victory.


    Cabonilas paced the team with seven points, Buenaflor chipped in six, while Medina delivered two timely two-point baskets to finish with five markers.


    The title was built on a flawless day from start to finish.


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    Gilas first took down New Zealand, 21-16, behind another explosive performance from Cabonilas, who erupted for 11 points. The squad carried that momentum into its second pool game, cruising past Singapore, 22-14, as Cabonilas added 10 more points while Jhuniel dela Rama and Medina contributed six points each.


    Cabonilas’ return after sitting out Stop 2 immediately paid dividends, providing the offensive spark that helped the Philippines climb back to the top of the conference standings.


    Meanwhile, the Gilas Pilipinas Girls remained fifth overall with 170 points after splitting their assignments.


    The Philippine quartet of Elaine Patio, Kristan Yumul, Alyssa Rodriguez, and Marga Villanueva absorbed a 21-7 loss to Japan before recovering with a 15-11 victory over Singapore to end the day on a winning note.


    The Nations League takes a one-day break before resuming Friday with Stop 4.


    The Gilas Boys will once again face New Zealand, along with Malaysia, in pool play, while the Gilas Girls are set for another showdown against Japan before taking on Malaysia as both teams continue their chase for valuable conference points.


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  • Gilas Boys U21 climb to joint lead after capturing FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Stop 3 

    Gilas Boys U21 climb to joint lead after capturing FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Stop 3 

    The race for the top spot in the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League U21 Asia-2 has tightened, and Gilas Pilipinas has firmly placed itself in the championship conversation.


    Behind another unbeaten run, the Philippine men’s team captured the Stop 3 title in Malaysia on Wednesday, defeating Japan, 19-14, in the championship game to vault into a share of first place in the conference standings.

     

    The victory rewarded Gilas with another 80 points, allowing the Filipinos to draw level with Belarus at the top of the standings with 240 points apiece. New Zealand remained close behind with 230 points, while Japan slipped to fourth with 220.

     

    The title run highlighted the team’s consistency throughout the day as the Filipinos never dropped a game en route to the crown.

     

    Gilas first outlasted New Zealand, 21-16, before cruising past Singapore, 22-14, to secure the top seed entering the final.

     

    Against Japan, the Philippines wasted little time taking control as the trio of Cabs Cabonilas, Koji Buenaflor, and Earl Medina fueled an early surge that stretched the lead to 18-10, leaving Japan with little room for a comeback before Gilas eventually sealed the 19-14 victory.

     

    Cabonilas once again led the offense with seven points, while Buenaflor added six. Medina provided the finishing touches by knocking down two long-range shots to finish with five points, while Jhuniel dela Rama contributed one point.

     

    Cabonilas proved to be the catalyst throughout the tournament after returning to the lineup following his absence in Stop 2.

     

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    He erupted for 11 points in the opening victory over New Zealand before pouring in 10 more against Singapore, helping set the tone for the Philippines’ dominant campaign. Dela Rama and Medina also chipped in six points each in the win over Singapore.

     

    The championship not only boosted Gilas’ confidence but also significantly strengthened its position in the overall standings heading into the remaining stops of the competition.

     

    Meanwhile, the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s U21 team was unable to replicate the men’s success but still salvaged a victory during pool play.

     

    The Filipinas opened their campaign with a 21-7 defeat to Japan before bouncing back with a 15-11 triumph over Singapore behind the efforts of Elaine Patio, Kristan Yumul, Alyssa Rodriguez, and Marga Villanueva.

     

    Despite the split results, the women’s squad finished fourth in Stop 3 and remained fifth in the conference standings with 170 points.

     

    With momentum now on their side, the Gilas Boys will look to build on their championship performance when the tournament resumes after a one-day break.

     

    In Stop 4 on Friday, the Philippines will face New Zealand and Malaysia in the men’s pool stage, while the women’s team takes on Japan and host Malaysia as both squads continue their pursuit of valuable points in the race for the overall conference title.

     

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  • Gilas Boys stay in hunt despite split as FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League race tightens 

    Gilas Boys stay in hunt despite split as FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League race tightens 

    The race for a spot in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup remains wide open for Gilas Pilipinas Boys despite a mixed showing in Stop 2 of the Asia 2 Conference on Tuesday at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

     

    The Philippine squad settled for a split in its two assignments, falling to Japan before bouncing back with a convincing win over host Malaysia to remain firmly in the hunt as the week-long Nations League reached its second stop.

     

    The day’s results left Gilas Boys tied with Japan for third place in the overall conference standings with 140 points each. New Zealand joined Belarus atop the leaderboard with 170 points after edging Japan, 21-20, in the Stop 2 championship game.

     

    The Philippines opened its campaign with a tightly contested battle against Japan that remained deadlocked at 17-all late in the game.

     

    Suguru Ishiguchi broke the tie with a clutch two-pointer to put Japan ahead, 19-17, with just over a minute remaining.

     

    Jhuniel Dela Rama, who stepped in for Cabs Cabonilas in Stop 2, answered with a basket to trim the deficit to one, but Ishiguchi delivered another dagger from beyond the arc with 45 seconds left to seal Japan’s 21-18 victory.

     

    Koji Buenaflor led the Filipino charge with eight points, while Dela Rama and Earl Medina contributed four markers apiece.

     

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    Refusing to dwell on the setback, Gilas responded with authority in its second outing.

     

    The Nationals overwhelmed Malaysia from start to finish, cruising to a 21-8 victory behind an eight-point explosion from Jedric Daa to close the day with a 1-1 record.

     

    The Gilas Girls also split their assignments in Stop 2.

     

    The Philippines opened with a solid 16-9 victory over New Zealand as Marga Villanueva and Elaine Patio combined for 11 points to power the offense.

     

    Malaysia, however, once again stood in the Filipinas’ way.

     

    After defeating Gilas in Stop 1, the hosts completed another victory with a 21-13 decision. Patio finished with six points, while Kristan Yumul added four.

     

    The result kept Gilas Girls in fifth place in the conference standings with 110 points as Belarus continued to strengthen its grip on the top spot after another successful stop.

     

    The competition resumes on Wednesday with another opportunity for both Philippine squads to climb the standings.

     

    Gilas Boys will battle New Zealand and Singapore in Pool B of Stop 3, while the Gilas Girls take on Japan and Singapore as they continue their chase for valuable conference points.

     

     

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  • Gilas Boys settle for runner-up finish after thriller against Belarus in FIBA 3×3 Nations League opener 

    Gilas Boys settle for runner-up finish after thriller against Belarus in FIBA 3×3 Nations League opener 

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys came within a single basket of opening the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Asia 2 Conference with a championship, but Belarus denied the Filipinos in a dramatic title game on Monday at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

     

    After putting together an unbeaten run through the group stage, the young Filipinos saw their impressive start end in a razor-thin 20-19 defeat, settling for a runner-up finish in Stop 1 of the six-leg competition.

     

    The loss came against a Belarus squad that has returned to international youth 3×3 action after FIBA allowed Belarus and Russia to compete exclusively in youth events held in China and Malaysia, following restrictions on their participation in European competitions.

     

    Belarus also completed a sweep of the opening stop after its women’s team edged Japan, 19-17, in an overtime thriller to capture the girls’ title.

     

    The boys’ championship match remained deadlocked at 15-all before Belarus found its breakthrough.

     

    Aleksei Baldin knocked down consecutive baskets to spark a decisive 3-0 run, turning a tied contest into an 18-15 advantage with just over a minute left.

     

    Gilas refused to fold.

     

    Earl Medina buried a clutch two-pointer to breathe life into the Philippine comeback, trimming the deficit to one possession. But Belarus answered immediately as David-Masenhe Mukete converted an and-one play to push the lead back to three.

     

    Still, the Filipinos kept fighting until the final horn.

     

    Medina and Jedric Daa scored in the closing seconds to make it a one-point game, but the comeback bid fell just short as time expired.

     

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    Medina paced Gilas Pilipinas with seven points in the final, while Cabs Cabonilas and Koji Buenaflor added five points each.

     

    Mukete finished with eight points to lead Belarus, with Arseni Viarzhbitski contributing six.

     

    The Philippines earned its place in the championship game after an impressive showing in pool play.

     

    Buenaflor erupted for nine points as Gilas defeated New Zealand, 22-17, before he and Cabonilas combined for 14 points in a convincing 21-14 victory over host Malaysia to book a finals berth.

     

    While the boys came within one point of the title, the Gilas Pilipinas Girls endured a difficult start to their campaign.

     

    The Philippine squad of Alyssa Rodriguez, Elaine Patio, Kristan Yumul, and Marga Villanueva dropped its opening game to Japan, 21-10, before falling to Malaysia, 20-11, to finish winless in Stop 1.

     

    Both Philippine teams, however, will have little time to dwell on the results as the Nations League resumes immediately on Tuesday for Stop 2.

     

    The Gilas Boys will look to build on their strong opening performance when they face Japan and Malaysia, while the Gilas Girls aim to bounce back against New Zealand and Malaysia as the race for an outright berth in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup continues.

     

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