Manila Gilas recorded a historic fourth-place finish in the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Xiantao Stop, the highest placing by a Philippine team since joining the tour in 2024.
The Filipinas stunned Paraguay, 20-17, in the quarterfinals before bowing to host China, 21-11, in the semifinals on Sunday.
The fourth-place finish surpassed the previous best by a Philippine team in the tournament, when Gilas Women placed fifth in the Wuhan Stop in 2024.
Tin Cayabyab caught fire in the quarterfinals, erupting for 13 points behind four two-pointers to power Manila past Paraguay, the same squad that handed Gilas Women a 16-10 defeat in pool play on Saturday.
With the game tied at 16-all, Sam Harada drilled a clutch two-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to put Manila ahead for good.
Although Paloma Niz trimmed the deficit to just one point, Cayabyab calmly sank two free throws to secure Manila’s spot in the semifinals.
(C) FIBA 3×3
China, however, proved too strong for the Filipinas. Li Wenxia poured in 10 points, while Yang Hengyu added six in a dominant performance by the hosts.
Cayabyab finished with five points in the loss, while Kaye Pingol, Harada, and Ann Pingol contributed three, two, and one point, respectively.
Following its breakthrough campaign, Manila climbed to No. 26 in the FIBA 3×3 team rankings, overtaking Gilas Women, who slipped to No. 31.
(C) FIBA 3×3
Meanwhile, Gilas Women bowed out in the quarterfinals after a 21-10 loss to eventual champion Ulaanbaatar.
Mikka Cacho led the Philippines with four points, while Camille Clarin, Elizabeth Means, and Tantoy Ferrer added two points each.
Ulaanbaatar was powered by Thao My Truong with seven points, Amari Robinson with six, and Khulan Onolbaatar with five as the experienced squad advanced on its way to the title.
