Gilas caps off FIBA World Cup qualifiers with a win over Colombia

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Despite failing to punch a direct ticket to the FIBA Women’s World Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s National Basketball Team made sure it would return home with a win after dominating Colombia, 74-59, during the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament on March 17, 2026, in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France.

After consecutive losses to France, Germany, South Korea and Nigeria, which officially ended their FIBA Women’s World Cup bid, the Filipinas gave their all in their last qualifying match, banking on an efficient second half to turn a thrilling back-and-forth contest into a one-sided affair.

Gilas had to endure a slow start after firing blanks from downtown in the opening quarter, allowing the Colombians to take control of the game’s pace with an early advantage.

Colombia protected its lead up to halftime, 40-33, but Gilas deployed much-needed in-game adjustments at the start of the second half, particularly at the point of attack and with a defensive switch from man-to-man to a soft 1-2-2 zone.

Out of all the positive developments in the second half, it was Kacey Dela Rosa’s offensive resurgence that stood out the most as she kicked off Gilas’ comeback rally with a scoring clinic in the shaded lane.

Gilas ran more plays for the Ateneo de Manila University standout, feeding her in the post through several high-low deliveries and letting her work in isolation from her favorite spots.

Dela Rosa’s masterclass helped Gilas retake the driver’s seat heading into the fourth quarter, 51-47, bolstering the team with 12 third-quarter points while also controlling the boards.

After Dela Rosa’s heroics, the duo of Sumayah Sugapong and Afril Bernardino stepped up when Gilas needed them most as they spearheaded the national team’s early scoring surge that increased its cushion to double digits midway through the final frame.

Bernardino kicked off Gilas’ uptempo attack with several fast-break layups, backstopped by Sugapong, who exposed Colombia’s slow help defense every time she drove down the baseline off a quick cut.

Dela Rosa then iced the game with more isolation conversions, helping Gilas wrap up the qualifying tournament with a 1-4 win-loss record.

The UAAP standout led Gilas with an all-around effort of 25 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks, while Sugapong and Bernardino added 21 and 12 markers, respectively.