For Koji Buenaflor, his experience with the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 squad was one that he will never forget.
Despite the Philippines falling just short of a medal at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, the UST sophomore described the entire journey as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Gilas Pilipinas enjoyed an impressive run throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten until the semifinals. There, they fell to South Korea before losing the bronze medal match to Iran.
“Sobrang ganda lang din ng experience para sa career namin, bawat isa,” he said.
His time competing in Japan was highlighted by teaming up with De La Salle Green Archers Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, as well as former teammate and Growling Tiger Nic Cabañero.
Buenaflor admitted that the stark contrast between their relationship before the Asian Games and how quickly they bonded made the experience even more memorable.
Just a week before the Asiad, Buenaflor had faced Dungo and Pablo when the Growling Tigers defeated the defending champion Green Archers, 80-75, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament. But when it was time for them to come together in Nagoya, the transition was seamless, with veteran Cabañero helping lead the way.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Actually, ang saya ng experience namin eh. Kasi hindi lang ‘yung mismong competition, pero ‘yung mga kasama din namin, sila Pablo, sila Nic, si Doy,” he shared.
“Alam mo ‘yun, parang noong nakaraang araw lang magkalaban lang kami, ta’s may intimidation pa na nangyayari. Pero noong nagsasama-sama na kami, siguro mga first two days, medyo may mga hiya-hiya pa. Pero beyond that journey, ang ganda rin ng pinakita namin, may brotherhood din na nabuo.”
The 6-foot-7 forward added that while he knows their Asian Games stint is only the beginning of the program’s rebuilding process, he believes the Philippines has enough talent to compete beyond the region.
Buenaflor is also no stranger to 3×3 basketball, having competed in the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League earlier this year.
“With the current pool of players na we have, I think malaking chance na makapag-compete yung Philippines internationally,” said the FIBA-ranked No. 2 Filipino player.
Pablo, Dungo, Cabañero, and Buenaflor may have built something special during their brief stint together, but only time will tell if this becomes the first chapter of a longer journey.
For now, if given the opportunity to do it all over again, the San Jose del Monte native said he would do it in a heartbeat.
“Of course, siyempre iba ang feeling na makapag-represent ng Pilipinas. So anytime I’m available, maglalaro ako.”
