Published September 16, 2026 7:26pm

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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

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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

Published September 9, 2026 4:21pm

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Luis Pablo has a busy schedule ahead with two tasks in front of him — one as a Green Archer with De La Salle University, and another as a Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 player for the upcoming Asian Games.

Pablo will play with the Taft-based squad first before flying to Japan on the 19th for the Asiad.

With a loaded schedule in the days ahead, Pablo said his passion fuels him to balance the two responsibilities.

“I think the main key in balancing is my willingness to play for both teams and to represent the country. So I think everyone will think it’s a bit challenging because there are two teams and two different categories,” Pablo said in a mix of English and Filipino on Tuesday.

“But I think my willingness and my passion for the sport is what gives me the motivation and energy. So, it balances out.”

Pablo will play alongside teammate Doy Dungo, former University of Santo Tomas standout Nic Cabañero, and his former teammate Koji Buenaflor for the Asiad 3×3.

“For us, we all have the same goal. It’s to win the gold,” Pablo said.

“Obviously, it’s Asian Games so the Philippines has a really high chance of winning it, and, you know, that’s our main goal, so that’s why every practice, we try to push ourselves.”

La Salle’s UAAP title defense campaign will open on Sunday, while the Asian Games will officially open on the 19th.

—JMB, GMA News

Published September 2, 2026 5:56pm

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The UAAP will make adjustments to its basketball schedule to accommodate the Asian Games in Japan and Gilas Pilipinas commitments, as several of its student-athletes are set to compete in international tournaments this month.

When the UAAP opens its 89th season in September, only five game days will be played during the month.

“The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy.

“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments. This kind of partnership allows our athletes to compete for both their schools and the Philippines with the support they need.”

Far Eastern University’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, along with Adamson University’s Earl Medina, will compete in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup from September 15 to 19.

De La Salle University’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, together with University of Santo Tomas’ Koji Buenaflor, will represent the Philippines in 3×3 basketball at the Asian Games, scheduled for September 21 to 25.

The collegiate women’s basketball tournament, meanwhile, will begin later as several UAAP student-athletes are expected to represent the country in the Asian Games’ 5-on-5 and 3×3 competitions, as well as the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.

“We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition. We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” said UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of Far Eastern University.

“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes the opportunity to serve the Philippines.”

La Salle’s title defense vs. NU, UP-UST clash banner UAAP triple-header opener

The UAAP will officially open on September 12, with games beginning on September 13.

La Salle will begin its title defense against the same team it defeated twice in last season’s semifinals, with the Green Archers facing National University in the triple-header that opens the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on September 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The opening day will begin with a clash between season host FEU and Adamson University.

After the La Salle-NU matchup, the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas, who also met in last season’s Final Four, will open their respective campaigns.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University will officially begin its Season 89 campaign on September 16 against the University of the East.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA News