Gilas Pilipinas Women hold a precarious lead heading into the final two stops of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League-Asia SEA Conference.
The Philippines suffered a heartbreaking 16-15 defeat to New Zealand in the Stop 4 Final on Friday at Hextar World, Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Gilas Women still lead the standings with 340 points heading into the final two stops, but Chinese Taipei and New Zealand are both closing in with 300 points apiece.
Amyah Espanol tried to carry Gilas all by herself after the Philippines fell behind, 14-12, with 2:23 remaining.
The FEU Lady Tamaraw scored on the inside to cut the deficit to one.
However, Maia Jones powered her way inside against a double team to restore New Zealand’s two-point lead before converting a free throw to make it 15-12.
Espanol nailed a clutch two-pointer late in the contest, but time expired before Gilas could complete the comeback.
Espanol scored 11 points in the final, going toe-to-toe with Jones, who finished with nine.
Gilas Women once again breezed through the group stage, routing Vietnam, 21-11, before escaping Malaysia, 18-14.
Espanol and Kennan Ka scored eight points apiece against Vietnam, while Espanol, Ka, and Victoria Pasilang contributed seven, six, and four points, respectively, against Malaysia.
Jam Meniano completed the Gilas Women quartet.
Gilas Men, on the other hand, failed to advance to the final after splitting their two group-stage games.
The quartet of Andre Bongo, Wello Lingolingo, Luis Pablo, and Shawn Tuano routed Vietnam, 21-6, before suffering a 21-20 upset at the hands of Malaysia.
Gilas Men held a 20-18 lead with 2:09 remaining against Malaysia before Yi Heng Te went on a scoring flurry to complete the upset.
Pablo led Gilas with 12 points against Malaysia after scoring eight against Vietnam.
Gilas Men remain second in the standings with 320 points, but New Zealand sits 60 points ahead of them.
