Gilas Pilipinas Women arrived in Singapore with a single mission: win a medal.
The quartet of Kacey Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, and Cheska Apag, guided by coaches Anton Altamirano and Paolo Layug, delivered on that promise.
On Sunday evening at OCBC Square in Kallang, Gilas Women secured the silver medal at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2026, falling 9–18 to defending champions Australia Gangurrus.
This marks the best finish ever for a Philippine team in the tournament, as the men’s squad has yet to reach the podium.
For Australia, it was their sixth championship overall and fourth consecutive title.
The final was dominated by the Gangurrus, who raced to a 6-0 lead before Dela Rosa scored the Philippines’ first basket with 6:33 remaining.
Bernardino, a stalwart of Philippine women’s basketball, then scored three straight baskets to trim the deficit to 7–12.
However, Kristy Wallace and Amy Atwell responded with three consecutive deuces, putting the game out of reach for Gilas Women.
By reaching the semifinals, the Philippines, along with Australia, China, and Japan, also secured spots in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2027.
Gilas Women’s journey was nothing short of a Cinderella story.
The Philippines finished the group phase with a 1-1 record, defeating Tonga 19–10 before losing to Australia 21–10.
In the quarterfinals, Gilas Women stunned world No. 11 Mongolia, 15–12, and followed that with a thrilling 21–19 (9:13.6) victory over 12th-ranked Japan.
The road ahead remains challenging. Gilas Women will return to Singapore on April 11–12 for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The Philippines is drawn in Pool B alongside Singapore and Brazil, while Pool A features Hungary, Lithuania, and Egypt.
The top three teams will advance to the World Cup in Warsaw, Poland, scheduled for June 1–7.
The Scores:
Australia 18 – Atwell 8, Wallace 5, Clarke 3, McSpadden 2.
Philippines 9 – Bernardino 4, Dela Rosa 3, Apag 2, Cacho 0.
