Gilas 3×3 men secure U23 World Cup berth

Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Men completed a dominant campaign in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 to secure the Philippines’ return to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup after an eight-year absence.

The young Filipino squad earned the qualification spot by finishing first in the six-stop conference held in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The Philippines competed against the Under-21 teams of Japan, New Zealand, Belarus, Singapore, and host Malaysia.

Gilas advanced to the finals in five of the six stops and claimed three championships on the way to the overall title.

The Filipinos opened their campaign with consecutive victories before absorbing a narrow defeat to Belarus in the Stop 1 final.

Gilas missed the podium in Stop 2 but recovered by defeating Japan to capture the Stop 3 championship.

The national team continued its strong run by beating New Zealand and Japan on game-winning two-point baskets to win two more stops.

The Philippines finished the tournament with 520 points, ending 50 points ahead of second-place Japan.

The Nations League features a series of one-day tournaments in which teams collect standing points, with the top-ranked team after the final stop qualifying for the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy said the accomplishment reflected the federation’s continuing investment in 3×3 basketball and the cooperation of stakeholders involved in developing the national program.

“Earlier this year, our Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women ended an eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup. Now Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Men will also end their own eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup,” said Dy. “This achievement is further proof that Filipinos are world-class not just in basketball but also in 3×3. With the support of our sponsors and the commitment of stakeholders, the SBP will continue to put our athletes in positions to succeed.”

The qualification marks the Philippines’ first appearance in the men’s U23 World Cup since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2018.

The 2018 Philippine team of RJ Abarrientos, Ricci Rivero, Rhayyan Amsali, and Jeepy Faundo compiled a 2-2 record in the pool stage.

That squad placed ninth overall in a 20-team field.

Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio credited schools, coaches, and team officials for releasing their players to represent the national team.

“On behalf of the SBP 3×3 program, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the schools, coaches, and team officials who supported Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 by allowing their players to represent the country,” added Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio.

Gregorio specifically thanked Far Eastern University Athletic Director Mark Molina and head coach Sean Chambers for adjusting the Tamaraws’ overseas preparations.

“We are especially thankful to FEU Athletic Director Mark Molina and Coach Sean Chambers, who deliberately rescheduled their team’s USA training so that Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa could compete in this tournament. Our sincere appreciation also goes to Boss Alfrancis Chua and Coach Pido Jarencio for generously loaning UST big man Koji Buenaflor, to Adamson head coach Nash Racela for immediately allowing Earl Medina to join the national team, and to team manager Jude Roque and Coach Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to represent Gilas even while he is in residency. Their trust, cooperation, and shared commitment to Philippine basketball embody the spirit of ‘one team, one country.’ We truly appreciate their invaluable support.”

Cabonilas and Daa represented FEU, while Buenaflor came from the University of Santo Tomas.

Medina joined the national team with the approval of Adamson University, while Dela Rama was allowed to play despite being in residency.

With its World Cup place secured, Gilas will prepare to compete against the world’s leading U23 3×3 teams from Sept. 15–19 in Wuhan, China.

The global tournament will bring together top men’s and women’s national teams that qualified through the Nations League and other pathways.