Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed two early setbacks on Day 1 of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
The Philippines suffered a narrow 14-11 defeat to World No. 15 Latvia before being overwhelmed by World No. 6 Germany, 22-10, on Monday evening (Manila time) at the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland.
The Gilas Women, who qualified for the global conclave after finishing fourth in the Asia Cup a year ago, dropped to last place in Pool C.
Germany leads the group at 2-0, followed by Latvia at 1-0, China at 1-1, and Italy at 0-1. Latvia and Italy were still facing off as of press time.
(C) FIBA 3×3
Against Latvia, the Filipinas kept the game close early, trailing just 8-6 midway through the contest. Latvia pulled away to a 12-6 lead with 2:28 left after a Paula Cirsa two-pointer, but Kacey Dela Rosa responded with back-to-back baskets to keep Gilas within striking distance.
A two-pointer from Camille Clarin with 22 seconds left cut the deficit to 13-10, but a late basket from Marta Miščenko sealed the win for Latvia.
Dela Rosa finished with five points and three rebounds against Latvia, while Mikka Cacho and Clarin added three and two points, respectively. Miščenko and Digna Strautmane led Latvia with five points each.
(C) FIBA 3×3
Against Germany, however, the Filipinas struggled from start to finish. Ama Degbeon spearheaded the attack with 10 points, including a decisive two-pointer with 1:36 remaining. Laura Zolper and Britta Daub combined for 11 points as Germany controlled the paint, scoring 11 of its 22 points inside.
Cacho and Dela Rosa led Gilas with four points apiece in the loss.
Gilas Women will have a rest day before returning to action against China on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, followed by Italy at 2:45 PM.
Only the top three teams in each pool will advance to the knockout stage.
The Scores:
First Game:
Latvia 14 – Stautmane 5, Mischenko 5, Vihmane 2, Cirsa 2.
Philippines 11 – Dela Rosa 5, Cacho 3, Clarin 2, Bernardino 1.
Second Game:
Germany 22 – Degbeon 10, Zolper 7, Daub 4, Reichert 1.
Philippines 10 – Cacho 4, Dela Rosa 4, Bernardino 2, Clarin 0.
Time: Degbeon 2 (1:36)
