Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Men capped off a remarkable campaign in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 competitions by securing a berth in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup after a dominant run in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Competing against fellow Under-21 teams from Japan, New Zealand, Belarus, Singapore, and Malaysia, the Philippines reached the finals in five of the six stops, winning three en route to a first-place finish.

Gilas started its campaign with back-to-back victories but suffered a narrow loss to Belarus in the Stop 1 finals. After missing out on the podium in Stop 2, Gilas bounced back by defeating Japan to win Stop 3. The young Filipinos left no doubt about who the best team was, beating New Zealand and Japan on game-winning two-point baskets to capture Stops 4 and 5.

The Philippines finished with 520 points in the tournament, 50 points ahead of second-place Japan, to earn a spot in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, marking another significant milestone for the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas’ (SBP) rapidly growing 3×3 program.

SBP Executive Director Erika Dy emphasized that the accomplishment reflects the federation’s continued investment in the 3×3 discipline and the willingness of stakeholders across Philippine basketball to work together in developing the national teams.

In 2018, a team composed of RJ Abarrientos, Ricci Rivero, Rhayyan Amsali, and Jeepy Faundo finished with a 2-2 record in the pool stage to place ninth overall among 20 teams.

With a place in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup now secured, Gilas Pilipinas turns its attention to competing against the world’s best from September 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China, and continuing the country’s upward trajectory in international 3×3 basketball. (ABS-CBN News)