All three Philippine teams failed to advance to the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
The country’s lone team in the main draw, Mandaluyong, was overwhelmed in Pool D, faltering late against Germany’s Skyliners, 21-15, before being routed by Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, 21-8.
Against the Skyliners, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Joseph Eriobu, both teammates at Terrafirma, tallied six and five points, respectively. However, Niklas Kropp proved unstoppable, pouring in 10 points to lead his side to victory.
The Mongolian squad, meanwhile, proved too much for the Filipino quartet, with Nauris Miezis and Dulguun Enkhbat combining for 15 points in the lopsided contest.
Other members of Mandaluyong were Sean Alter of UP and Dominick Fajardo of NLEX.
Ulaanbaatar completed a sweep of Pool D after also defeating the Skyliners, 21-13. Both teams, however, advanced to the knockout rounds of the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the Vienna Masters on Sunday.
(C) FIBA 3×3
Pasay and San Juan del Monte also failed to make it out of the qualifying draw.
Spain’s Fuengirola escaped San Juan del Monte, 21-17, despite the eight points of Nic Cabanero of Biñan and the seven points of Aldous Torculas of San Beda.
Fuengirola then punched its ticket to Pool C after ousting Pasay, 19-13.
(C) FIBA 3×3
An all-around effort from free agent Jomel Puno with seven points, Robbie Herndon of NLEX with six, Zedjay Etulle of San Beda with five, and Jeff Manday of Caloocan with three powered Pasay to its lone victory, a 21-18 triumph over San Juan.
Other members of San Juan were Gelo Crisostomo of UST and Lawrence Hawkins of San Beda.
Also advancing to the next round were Pool A sweepers Liman and second-placer Singapore, Pool C leader Baskets Bonn and Fuengirola, as well as Pool D leader Toulouse and Toronto.
Miezis led all scorers for the day with 21 points, followed by the 17 of Fabian Giessmann of Baskets Bonn and the 16 of Eric Dixon of Phoenix.
