By: Jerod Orcullo
Lexi Pana, who recently led Pilipinas Aguilas to the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League championship, will now headline the Uratex-backed Gilas for the 2025 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series season — marking her biggest step yet toward representing the Philippines on the international stage.
“You know my main goal from the very first moment that I started playing basketball has always been to play in the Philippines and for the Philippines, especially because of my grandparents,” Pana shared.
“So of course, I would totally be open to it.”
Though she was unable to secure a Philippine passport before the age of 16 — a key FIBA eligibility requirement for 5-on-5 competitions — Pana is eligible to suit up for the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 team as a local, and her inclusion in the Uratex Dream squad brings that goal into sharper focus.
Standing at 5-foot-9, Pana brings size, skill, and experience.
She will join Gilas stalwarts Mikka Cacho and Kaye Pingol, Discovery Perlas star Tantoy Ferrer, and PSP’s Sam Harada.
Uratex has also renewed its partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for another year, a collaboration that has already shown its potential to elevate the women’s game.
“The SBP values strong relationships with our partners and we’ve seen just how committed Uratex Dream is in helping our female basketball players,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.
“We produced great results in our first year together so it was natural for us to pursue even more success moving forward.”
Indeed, the Philippines made significant strides in the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series season, finishing 18th among 51 competing nations.
The team’s best showing was a fifth-place finish in the Wuhan stop in China — a breakout performance that energized the local 3×3 scene and brought more visibility to the sport.
These improvements were not just for show. Because of the combined efforts from SBP, Uratex, and the players, the country jumped more than 20 spots in the global women’s 3×3 rankings, a leap that could prove critical to qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
FIBA has increased the number of participating 3×3 nations from eight to 12 for the 2028 Games, opening a wider door for hopefuls like Gilas Women.
“We thank the SBP for once again giving our organization the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of women’s basketball in the country,” said Uratex Dream’s team manager Peachy Medina.
“The excellent results from the past year’s efforts make it clear that we have to run it back. We laud the SBP for their leadership, and we are honored to be a part of this meaningful endeavor.”
