Gilas Women end PH podium drought in FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup
- Rodolfo Dacleson II
- Apr 6
- 1 min read
The Philippines couldn't stop Australia's dominance in the women's 3x3 basketball circuit in the Asia-Pacific region, yet still made history.
Gilas Pilipinas quartet Kacey Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, and Cheska Apag succumbed to the Australians, 18-9, to settle for a silver medal in the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women's Asia Cup, marking its first-ever podium finish in the tournament.
It was the Filipina cagers' first trip to the continental finals after their semifinal debut last year, where they finished fourth. The Philippines has competed in the tournament since 2017.
Bernardino was named in the tournament's All-Star Team alongside Australia's Kristy Wallace and China's Zhang Zhiting. Wallace also received the Most Valuable Player plum.
Australia quickly zoomed to a 6-0 start before Dela Rosa converted back-to-back buckets to put the Philippines on the board.
That proved to be the closest the nationals would get, as the Oceanian powerhouse sank three straight two-pointers to establish an 18-7 cushion the former couldn't overcome.
On their way to the finals, Gilas has gone on a giant-killing run.
For the second straight year, the Philippines eliminated Mongolia in the quarterfinals. The Mongolians are silver medalists in the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Women's World Cup.
Gilas then outlasted World Cup regular Japan in a thrilling semifinal showdown.
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