MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas Under-21 Boys secured a long-awaited return to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup after emerging as overall champions of the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, ending an eight-year absence from the global tournament.
The Filipinos topped the six-leg competition with 520 points, comfortably ahead of Japan’s 470, after reaching the finals in five of six stops and capturing three tournament titles. The triumph booked the Philippines’ first appearance in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup since 2018.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy said the breakthrough reflects the steady growth of the country’s 3×3 basketball program.
“Earlier this year, our Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women ended an eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup. Now the boys’ team will also end their own eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup,” Dy said.
“This achievement is further proof that Filipinos are world-class not just in basketball but also in 3×3. With the support of our sponsors and the commitment of stakeholders, the SBP will continue to put our athletes in positions to succeed.”
SBP 3×3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio likewise acknowledged the schools, coaches and team officials who allowed their players to represent the country despite existing commitments.
“On behalf of the SBP 3×3 program, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the schools, coaches, and team officials who supported Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 by allowing their players to represent the country,” Gregorio said.
Gregorio specifically thanked Far Eastern University athletic director Mark Molina and head coach Sean Chambers for adjusting the Tamaraws’ training schedule in the United States so Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa could compete.
He also expressed appreciation to San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua and University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio for releasing Koji Buenaflor, Adamson head coach Nash Racela for allowing Earl Medina to join the national team, and San Beda team manager Jude Roque and coach Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to suit up for Gilas while completing his residency.
The Philippine squad opened the campaign with a runner-up finish in Stop 1 after falling to Belarus, missed the podium in Stop 2, then rebounded by defeating Japan to capture the Stop 3 title.
Gilas sustained its momentum by winning back-to-back championships in Stops 4 and 5 before wrapping up the overall crown despite finishing runner-up in the sixth and final stop.
The 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup is scheduled on Sept. 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China./PN
