MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas Under-21 Boys punched their long-awaited return to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup after dominating the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, ending an eight-year absence from the global tournament with an emphatic overall championship.
The Filipinos amassed 520 points to finish atop the six-leg competition, well ahead of Japan’s 470 points, after reaching the finals in five of six stops and capturing three tournament titles. The feat secured the country’s 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 credited the schools, coaches and team officials who allowed their players to represent the national team 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.
He 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 for the national squad.
Gregorio also acknowledged San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua and University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio for releasing Koji Buenaflor, Adamson mentor Nash Racela for allowing Earl Medina to join the team, and San Beda team manager Jude Roque and coach Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to represent the country while completing his residency.
The Philippine squad opened the tournament 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 Stops 4 and 5 before sealing the overall Asia 2 championship despite settling for another runner-up finish in the final leg.
The 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup is scheduled from Sept. 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China./PN
