For the first time in program history, Gilas Pilipinas Women advanced to the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Final.
The Philippines continued its giant-slaying run, stunning Japan, 21–19 (9:13.6), to secure a spot in the final of the 2026 continental meet on Sunday at OCBC Square in Singapore.
Gilas will face Australia in the final later tonight. The two teams previously met in the group stage, where Australia defeated the Philippines, 21–10 (8:36).
(C) FIBA 3×3
Kacey dela Rosa, the multiple-time UAAP Most Valuable Player from Ateneo de Manila University, was unstoppable against the world’s 12th-ranked 3×3 team, scoring 10 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field while grabbing five rebounds.
But her biggest basket came in the final seconds.
Tied at 19-all, Afril Bernardino sent Gilas to match point with about a minute remaining. After a chaotic scramble, Bernardino found Dela Rosa underneath for the game-winning basket with 47.4 seconds left.
“First of all, this is my comeback to 3×3, that’s why I’m so happy,” said Bernardino, who finished with five points and six rebounds. “We had two weeks to prepare for this—it’s all worth it.”
Gilas appeared in trouble with three minutes remaining after Miku Takahashi knocked down back-to-back deuces to give Japan a 19–16 lead.
Dela Rosa scored inside to stop the bleeding, but the Filipinas’ challenges increased when Mikka Cacho had to be subbed out after a collision that injured her jaw.
Cheska Apag stepped up, hitting a deuce to tie the game at 19-all. A missed deep shot by Takahashi then set the stage for the heroics of Bernardino and Dela Rosa.
(C) FIBA 3×3
Takahashi finished the game with 11 points on five deuces, while Momoka Hanashima added six markers.
The Philippines went 1–1 in the group phase before stunning Mongolia, 15–12, to advance to the final four.
The Scores:
Philippines 21 – Dela Rosa 10, Bernardino 5, Cacho 4, Apag 2.
Japan 19 – Takahashi 11, Hanashima 6, Noguchi 2, Tsurumi 0.
Time: Dela Rosa (9:13.6)
