PATRICK Fran gets another shot at a 3×3 men’s basketball medal at the Asian Games.

The 53-year-old former PBA player has been tasked to handle the Gilas men’s 3×3 side that is out to redeem itself in the quadrennial showcase slated in Nagoya, Japan this month.

Fran was named head coach of the team put together by 3×3 project director Ryan Gregorio of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) after working with JJ Espanola in calling the shots for the U21, U23, and senior men’s teams.

Comprising the Asiad 3×3 unit are Binan Tatak Gel’s Nic Cabanero, Koji Buenaflor of University of Santo Tomas, and the De La Salle duo of Doy Dungo and Luis Pablo.

Fran, a proud product of Santo Tomas who played for TNT and Air21 and later, became assistant coach at Meralco, was with the coaching staff of the Gilas 3×3 team when the half-court game made its debut in the Hangzhou Asiad in 2022.

The national team – then comprised of Bismarck Lina, Bryan Sajonia, Janrey Pasaol, and Justine Sanchez – made it to the knockout quarterfinals, where it lost to South Korea, 19-16.

But the Philippines was the only team to beat Chinese Taipei, 17-12, during the group stage. Chinese Taipei eventually ended up winning the gold by beating Qatar, 18-16.

This time, Fran will be handling a team whose members are seeing action in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Wuhan, China a week before the Asiad.

Espanola will call the shots in the World Cup.

Buenaflor is with the U-21 team that qualified for Wuhan, while Pablo and Dungo are with the U-23 team seeing action in the same World Cup meet in China.

Cabanero meanwhile, was with the Gilas 3×3 team that advanced in the semis of the Asian Beach Games, but lost to perennial rival Thailand, 20-18.

The 3×3 World Cup will be held from Sept. 15 to 19, although the half-court competitions in the Asiad won’t start until Sept. 21 at the Kinio-futo Station Square.

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SINGAPORE – New Zealand, Czechia and Brazil secured their places at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026, with Leonardo Branquinho leading the Men’s Team of the Tournament after an outstanding showing at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier 2026.

The Brazilian star delivered when it mattered most, guiding his team through high-pressure moments as they booked their ticket to Warsaw, Poland.

MVP: Leonardo Branquinho (Brazil)

Branquinho once again proved why he is one of the most dangerous players in 3×3 basketball, combining scoring ability, experience and composure to lead Brazil to qualification.

Throughout the tournament, he was a constant offensive threat, capable of taking over games with his shot-making and one-on-one ability. His presence was especially crucial in tight contests, where his leadership and decision-making helped Brazil stay in control.

In the crucial last chance game, Branquinho’s influence extended beyond scoring, as he anchored Brazil’s offense and set the tone for their final push to secure a FIBA 3×3 World Cup berth. His all-around impact and consistency made him the strong choice for MVP.

Team of the Tournament

Leonardo Branquinho (Brazil)
The tournament’s standout performer, Branquinho led Brazil with his scoring, leadership and ability to deliver in clutch moments.

Filip Novotny (Czechia)
A dominant inside presence, Novotny powered Czechia with his physicality and efficient scoring, including a key 11-point performance in their qualification win.

Chris Martin (New Zealand)
A clutch performer, Martin played a decisive role in New Zealand’s campaign, including hitting the game-winning shot in their overtime victory to secure qualification.

FIBA

ÑUÑOA, Chile – Rising senior Eric Dailey Jr. helped lead the USA 3×3 Men’s Nations League team to a perfect 18-0 record over the past week, qualifying for the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.

Dailey Jr. and his five American teammates recently amassed an 18-0 record over a week-long stretch, competing in Chile at the 3×3 Nations League Americas North tournament. Staged in Ñuñoa, Chile, the 3×3 circuit saw the United States men’s program post an 18-0 record while the women’s team went 16-1.

As a member of the Americas North division, the USA men and women competed in six “stops” during the tournament. Each team played at least two contests during those stops, with the goal of topping their group and lacing up in the stop’s final at the end of each day. With enough points, a federation can officially qualify for the 3×3 U23 World Cup. The USA men’s program secured 600 total points by virtue of claiming 100 points for each title win.

Dailey Jr., who has played in 68 games for UCLA over the past two seasons, was joined by five other collegiate men’s basketball athletes – including Hank Alvey, CJ Gunn, Kevair Kennedy, Pace Prosser and Brady Swartz. Entering his senior season, Dailey Jr. has averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in two seasons at UCLA. He spent his freshman season at Oklahoma State in 2023-24.

Hailing from Palmetto, Fla., Dailey Jr. has been a member of the USA Basketball family since 2019. He returned to the halfcourt for the first time in four years. He competed in both the 2021 and 2022 FIBA U18 Men’s World Cups, taking gold in 2021. He also owns a gold medal from the 2022 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup and competed at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup.

The FIBA 3×3 Nations League serves as a qualification route to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup. Conference winners will qualify for the event, set for Sept. 15-19 in Wuhan, China. China men and women will receive automatic qualification along with the reigning champions (Lithuania men and Netherlands women). The rest of the teams emerged from the winners of each conference and the next teams in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League 2026 final standings.

3×3 basketball is played on a half court with a 10-minute clock and a 12-second shot clock. The first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation, is the winner. For more information on the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas, click here.

ÑUÑOA, Chile – Rising senior Eric Dailey Jr. helped lead the USA 3×3 Men’s Nations League team to a perfect 18-0 record over the past week, qualifying for the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.

Dailey Jr. and his five American teammates recently amassed an 18-0 record over a week-long stretch, competing in Chile at the 3×3 Nations League Americas North tournament. Staged in Ñuñoa, Chile, the 3×3 circuit saw the United States men’s program post an 18-0 record while the women’s team went 16-1.

As a member of the Americas North division, the USA men and women competed in six “stops” during the tournament. Each team played at least two contests during those stops, with the goal of topping their group and lacing up in the stop’s final at the end of each day. With enough points, a federation can officially qualify for the 3×3 U23 World Cup. The USA men’s program secured 600 total points by virtue of claiming 100 points for each title win.

Dailey Jr., who has played in 68 games for UCLA over the past two seasons, was joined by five other collegiate men’s basketball athletes – including Hank Alvey, CJ Gunn, Kevair Kennedy, Pace Prosser and Brady Swartz. Entering his senior season, Dailey Jr. has averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in two seasons at UCLA. He spent his freshman season at Oklahoma State in 2023-24.

Hailing from Palmetto, Fla., Dailey Jr. has been a member of the USA Basketball family since 2019. He returned to the halfcourt for the first time in four years. He competed in both the 2021 and 2022 FIBA U18 Men’s World Cups, taking gold in 2021. He also owns a gold medal from the 2022 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup and competed at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup.

The FIBA 3×3 Nations League serves as a qualification route to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup. Conference winners will qualify for the event, set for Sept. 15-19 in Wuhan, China. China men and women will receive automatic qualification along with the reigning champions (Lithuania men and Netherlands women). The rest of the teams emerged from the winners of each conference and the next teams in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League 2026 final standings.

3×3 basketball is played on a half court with a 10-minute clock and a 12-second shot clock. The first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation, is the winner. For more information on the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas, click here.