For the first time, the Philippines will host both a FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series leg and a Challenger event.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has brought the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series and the World Tour Challenger to Manila.
The Women’s Series will take place on Thursday and Friday, before the event culminates with the Manila Challenger this weekend at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Dubbed the “Manila Combo Series,” the SBP and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) organized the twin events not only to give fans the chance to witness world-class 3×3 basketball, but also to help national teams earn crucial ranking points for Olympic qualification.
“I think big deal siya for 3×3 because it’s the first time we are hosting both the Women’s Series and the Challenger at the same time,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy. “It’s all special because it comes in a year that already takes into account the Olympic qualification, which means magma-matter na yung points heading to LA 2028.”
For the Women’s Series, there will be two home teams. Gilas Pilipinas Women will be represented by Mikka Cacho, Tantoy Ferrer, Camille Clarin, and Gabi Bade.
The Manila team, meanwhile, features a National University reunion composed of Afril Bernardino, Samantha Harada, and the Pingol sisters, Kaye and Ann.
Manila will need to go through the qualifying draw, where it will face Team USA and Warsaw. The survivor will advance to Pool C alongside Gilas Women and Germany.
Meanwhile, three Philippine teams will see action in the Manila Challenger.
Mandaluyong will be bannered by Terrafirma’s Jerrick Ahanmisi and Joseph Eriobu, UP’s Sean Alter, and NLEX’s Dominick Fajardo.
San Juan del Monte will be represented by the Gilas Under-23 Men’s team bound for the 20th Asian Games, composed of Binan’s Nic Cabanero, UST’s Gelo Crisostomo, La Salle’s Doy Dungo, and San Beda’s Aldous Torculas.
Pasay, the home team, will field San Beda’s Zedjay Etulle, Caloocan’s Jeff Manday, former San Beda forward Jomel Puno, and celebrity cager Gerald Anderson.
Pasay and San Juan will also have to go through the qualifying draw, where they are grouped with Spain’s Fuengirola. The top team will advance to Pool C, joining China’s Shanghai and Germany’s Baskets Bonn.
Mandaluyong, on the other hand, is in Pool B alongside Germany’s Skyliners and Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.
“The 3×3 program has been doing really well, both on the men’s and women’s sides. The women’s team has been winning medals, while the men’s team is also improving. They had a good showing during the Asia Cup and the Asian Beach Games,” said Dy.
“We are very hopeful for both teams, and this is a chance for the players to compete at home and for our fans to witness this event live.”
