Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 Team has secured its place in the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series.
This historic achievement comes as a result of a partnership between the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Uratex Dream, aimed at elevating the country’s standing in the global arena.
“Federation ranking is almost everything in the 3×3 universe. The more high-level events you join, the more points you earn,” said SBP executive director Erika Dy.
“This partnership allows us to join up to 10 stops of the Women’s Series which could improve our ranking by more than 10 spots by the end of the season.”
With the potential to participate in up to 10 stops of the Women’s Series, this partnership promises to catapult the Philippines’ ranking by over 10 spots, marking a significant leap forward for the nation’s basketball ambitions.
Unlike traditional basketball formats, where qualification hinges on regional tournaments, 3×3 national teams secure their spot based on ranking prowess.
China, for example, clinched berths in both men’s and women’s divisions for the Paris Olympics through their stellar rankings.
Backing this bold move towards global recognition is SBP president Al S. Panlilio, a staunch advocate for the growth of 3×3 basketball. He has always firmly believed in the Philippines’ potential to compete at the highest levels, including the Olympics.
“SBP president Al has always pushed for the growth of 3×3 as he firmly believes the Philippines should be competing at the Olympic level,” said Dy.
Under this groundbreaking partnership, Peachy Medina of Uratex Dream will provide crucial financial and personnel support to the Gilas Women’s team, further solidifying their competitive edge.
Participating in the rigorous FIBA 3×3 circuit, especially the Women’s Series, poses a formidable challenge for a limited player pool, given the extensive travel and overlapping schedules. To address this, Uratex Dream will take the lead in certain stops, pooling talents from both squads.
Coaches Anton Altamirano and Kat Quimpo will collaborate closely to strategically select and delegate stops, aiming to maximize the Philippines’ ranking points and solidify their path toward Olympic qualification.
Expressing gratitude for this groundbreaking initiative, Altamirano hailed it as a pivotal step towards the Philippines’ ultimate goal of Olympic participation in 2028, emphasizing the importance of every incremental advancement.
“We are very thankful to the efforts of SBP headed by our executive director Ms Erika Dy and with the partnership of Uratex Dream; we are joining the Women’s series for the very first time,” said Altamirano.
“This is a very good development and it will help us in boosting our federation rankings in our ultimate goal of the 2028 Olympics. Every step is important and this is definitely one of the first steps towards the main goal.”
Medina, a passionate advocate for women’s basketball, expressed her excitement to work hand-in-hand with the Gilas squad, heralding this partnership as a monumental leap forward for Philippine women’s basketball.
Similarly, Quimpo, entrusted with leading the national team in several stops, hailed SBP’s decision to join the FIBA Women’s Series as a testament to the federation’s unwavering commitment to women’s basketball development, showcasing the nation’s readiness to compete against the world’s best teams.
The combined squad, featuring Gilas stalwarts alongside seasoned veterans from Uratex Dream, forms a formidable lineup poised to leave an indelible mark on the global stage, signaling a new era of excellence for Philippine women’s basketball.
