Gilas Pilipinas Boys suffered a heartbreaking 14-13 loss to Japan in the Stop 4 final of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 Conference on Friday evening at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Down 14-13 in the closing seconds, Cabs Cabonilas cleaned up his own miss with a putback that appeared to force overtime.
However, after a video review, the basket was waved off after officials ruled it came after the final buzzer, handing Japan the victory.
The Philippines and Japan are now tied atop the overall standings with 320 points each with two stops remaining in the tournament, which offers a berth to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup.
New Zealand and Belarus are tied for third with 300 points apiece.
It was a tightly contested finale, with Gilas rallying from a 12-10 deficit with two minutes left.
Cabonilas knocked down a free throw before Earl Medina and Jhuniel Dela Rama scored on consecutive possessions to put the Filipinos ahead, 13-12.
Kenshin Kusumoto answered with the tying basket with 39 seconds remaining before Takumi Ii scored the eventual game-winning bucket moments later.
The Philippines received balanced scoring in the final, with Medina finishing with five points, while Jedric Daa and Cabonilas added three each. Dela Rama chipped in two markers.
Suguru Ishiguchi led Japan with a game-high 11 points.
Gilas Boys advanced to the final after sweeping the group stage, defeating New Zealand, 21-10, before cruising past Malaysia, 21-11.
Cabonilas scored the game-winning basket against New Zealand with 48 seconds remaining, pouring in 10 points against the Kiwis. Daa and Cabonilas each scored nine points in the victory over Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Gilas Girls squad of Alyssa Rodriguez, Elaine Patio, Kristan Yumul, and Marga Villanueva remained in fifth place in the standings with 220 points.
The Filipinas fell to Japan, 21-4, before absorbing a 22-12 loss to Malaysia.
In Saturday’s Stop 5, Gilas Boys will be grouped with Japan and Malaysia, while the Gilas Girls will face New Zealand and Malaysia.
