Manila Gilas bowed out of the qualifying draw of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Manila on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
The Philippine side, composed of NU standouts Afril Bernardino, Kaye Pingol, Ann Pingol, and Sam Harada, suffered defeats to Warsaw, 14-9, and Team USA, 21-12.
Team USA advanced to the main draw’s Pool C after sweeping the qualifying draw with a 2-0 record, joining Gilas Women and Germany.
(C) FIBA 3×3
Bernardino finished with four points while Kaye added three against Warsaw, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the European squad’s imposing size advantage.
Meanwhile, Bernardino and Manila Gilas showed improvement against Team USA, but the trio of Joyce Edwards, Milaysia Fulwiley, and Mikaylah Williams proved too skilled as the Americans gradually pulled away.
“Siguro, nagkaroon kami ng confidence dahil nakalaban namin sila. Napaka-big deal na nito at once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Kaye.
Still, the tournament marked a dream come true for the Pingol sisters.
(C) FIBA 3×3
“Sobrang excited na finally, yung Women’s Series nandito na sa ‘tin at yun nga, masaya din na naging teammates kami ni Ann,” said Kaye.
“Dream come true. Matagal na kasi namin hinihintay na magkasama maglaro. Grateful for the opportunity,” added Ann.
In the other qualifying draw, Mongolia advanced to Pool D after eliminating Singapore and Indonesia.
