FIBA 3×3 World Cup veteran Kacey Dela Rosa will banner the Gilas women’s team competing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Dela Rosa is joined in the squad by Kennan Elizabeth Ka, Amyah Espanol, and Victoria Pasilang, with Anton Altamirano calling the shots.

The 22-year-old Dela Rosa, the two-time UAAP MVP from Ateneo, was part of the Gilas 3×3 unit that saw action in the World Cup last June in Warsaw, Poland where she teamed up with Afril Bernardino, Micca Cacho, and Camille Clarin.

Now she’ll try to lead the country’s bid for the gold that hit a snag in the 2022 edition of the Asiad when the Philippines withdrew from the tournament after two of its four players were barred by the Asiad Organizing Committee in Hangzhou, China.

The 22-year-old Ka is a 6-foot Fil-Am playing for the University of the Philippines; the 5-foot-8 Espanol, also a Fil-Am, is from Far Eastern University, while Pasilang, 22, from Cebu, also plays for the Lady Tamaraws.

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Espanol and Ka were with the Gilas quartet that secured a spot in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China.

The two however, won’t be suiting up in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup set Sept. 15-19, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) opted to send a different set of players, according to 3×3 program director Ryan Gregorio.

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FIBA 3×3 World Cup veteran Kacey Dela Rosa will banner the Gilas women’s team competing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Dela Rosa is joined in the squad by Kennan Elizabeth Ka, Amyah Espanol, and Victoria Pasilang, with Anton Altamirano calling the shots.

The 22-year-old Dela Rosa, the two-time UAAP MVP from Ateneo, was part of the Gilas 3×3 unit that saw action in the World Cup last June in Warsaw, Poland where she teamed up with Afril Bernardino, Micca Cacho, and Camille Clarin.

Now she’ll try to lead the country’s bid for the gold that hit a snag in the 2022 edition of the Asiad when the Philippines withdrew from the tournament after two of its four players were barred by the Asiad Organizing Committee in Hangzhou, China.

The 22-year-old Ka is a 6-foot Fil-Am playing for the University of the Philippines; the 5-foot-8 Espanol, also a Fil-Am, is from Far Eastern University, while Pasilang, 22, from Cebu, also plays for the Lady Tamaraws.

MORE FROM SPIN

Espanol and Ka were with the Gilas quartet that secured a spot in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China.

The two however, won’t be suiting up in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup set Sept. 15-19, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) opted to send a different set of players, according to 3×3 program director Ryan Gregorio.

Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.

Making history in Warsaw

The Asia Cup run was followed by qualification for the World Cup — the Philippines’ first appearance since going winless as hosts in 2018 — and the team arrived in Warsaw as heavy underdogs in Pool C, which included Latvia, Paris 2024 Olympic champions Germany, People’s Republic of China, and Italy.

Defeats in their opening three games left one final chance to make a statement, and Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, Camille Clarin, and Mikka Cacho seized it, toppling Italy for a landmark first win at the sport’s showpiece event.

For Dela Rosa, the result is another sign of momentum building back home.

“It’s getting big because they’re opening a lot of leagues for 3×3 in the Philippines now, women’s basketball especially,” she said. “I’m very happy that I’m a big part of it right now, and I want to be an inspiration to the other kids. I’m really happy and excited for the kids who want to play in the future.”