Published September 16, 2026 7:26pm

Add GMA on Google

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

The Gilas Pilipinas Men U23 team opened its 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup campaign with back-to-back losses on Wednesday in Wuhan, China.

The Philippine bets fell to New Zealand and Spain to go 0-2 in Pool B while Latvia and Spain both lead the group with identical 2-0 cards followed by New Zealand at 1-1.

Gilas Pilipinas, bannered by Cabs Cabonillas, Jedric Daa, John Earl Medina, and Malcolm Tyler, opened its campaign with a 21-11 loss to New Zealand, which sealed the victory with still 3:41 left to spare off a Chris Martin basket.

New Zealand started the game with an 11-4 run before Far Eastern University rookie Cabonillas pulled the youthful Filipinos to within four, 12-8, with 6:02 left in the race-to-21 match.

However, New Zealand responded with a 10-4 closing run to stun the Philippines. Medina led Gilas with six points while Cabonillas and Tyler both finished with two markers.

Gilas then faced Spain in the second game, but ran out of gas as well en route to a 21-15 loss with Cabonillas churning out six points and Tyler chipping in five markers laced with three rebounds.

Gilas Men will take on Egypt and Latvia on Thursday to revive their playoff hopes.

—JKC, GMA News

Published June 1, 2026 9:28pm

Add GMA on Google

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

Gilas Pilipinas Women opened their campaign in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup with back-to-back losses to Latvia and Germany on Monday in Warsaw, Poland.

The Philippine squad of Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, Camille Clarin, and Kacey Dela Rosa suffered a 14-11 defeat to Latvia in its opening game.

Gilas got off to a strong start, building a 5-2 advantage before Latvia responded with a blistering 6-0 run in just over a minute to seize control of the contest. Bernardino stopped the surge with a basket, but the Latvians stretched their lead to 12-6 and managed to fend off a late Philippine rally.

Dela Rosa led the Filipinas with five points and three rebounds, while Cacho added three points.

The Philippines then fell to Germany, 22-10, in its second game of the day.

Gilas Women will look to bounce back when they face China and Italy on Wednesday as they continue their Group D campaign.

Only the top team in each group earns an outright berth to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams advance to the Round of 16.

—JKC, GMA News