Chemistry isn’t built overnight, especially not on a stage as unforgiving as 3×3 basketball.
For Afril Bernardino and Gilas Pilipinas, the journey to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Cup was anything but smooth. Even with a core coming off a silver-medal finish in the Asia Cup, familiarity did not immediately translate to fluidity.
The pieces were there, with Bernardino, Kacey Dela Rosa, and Mikka Cacho remaining, while Tantoy Ferrer stepped in as the lone change from Cheska Apag. But early on, the rhythm simply wasn’t.
“Actually, nahirapan pa kami sa chemistry namin the first few games, but ‘di naman kami sumuko to play together na magkakasama, na mabuo ‘yung chemistry namin,” admitted Bernardino prior to making her return to Batangas-New Zealand Bluefire in the WMPBL.
Gilas got off on the wrong foot with a narrow 16-13 opening-game loss to Brazil, but quickly bounced back with a 21-19 triumph over Singapore to close out the group stage and keep its hopes alive heading into the next phase.
The same issues resurfaced in the semifinals, where the Filipinas absorbed a 21-19 loss to Lithuania after a comeback attempt fell just short.
(C) FIBA 3×3
“Siguro ‘yung sistema, unang una. Doon ko na-realize na hindi ka mananalo sa laban kung mag-isa ka lang,” said Bernardino, who was also part of the team that competed in the 2018 edition of the World Cup hosted by the country.
“So ginamit ko ‘yun to motivate my teammates na we need to work together inside the court and take it slow.”
Through sheer persistence and trust in the system, Gilas Pilipinas gradually found its rhythm, refusing to let early struggles define its campaign.
And in a winner-take-all showdown against Singapore, everything finally clicked.
Gilas delivered its most complete performance, carving out a dominant 21-10 victory to punch its ticket to the World Cup.
“Nung last game sa Singapore, ayun, nailabas namin ‘yung chemistry ng bawat isa and ‘yung talent and mas naniwala kami sa isa’t isa,” Bernardino shared.
As they now set their sights on the world stage, Bernardino knows the formula remains the same.
“Siguro maniwala lang sa sarili nila and sa teammates, sa program ng federation.”
