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Can Gilas Pilipinas Women continue their Cinderella run in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifiers?
Gilas Pilipinas Women ended their FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup run with a historic silver medal on Sunday (Philippine time) in Singapore.
Despite falling to Australia, 18-9, in the final, that silver marked Gilas’ best-ever finish in the tournament, which also included upsets over World Cup silver medalists Mongolia in the quarterfinals, and powerhouse Japan in the semifinals.
But the job is not done yet for the Gilas Women, as they are set to compete in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, also in Singapore, this April 11 to 12.
Where do Gilas Women stand and who will play?
Along with Gilas Women, six teams are competing for a World Cup slot in Singapore. Joining the Nationals are Hungary, hosts Singapore, Lithuania, Egypt, and Brazil.
Gilas Women enter as top seed of Pool B, along with World No. 20 Singapore and Brazil. On paper, it’s the host nation that could pose a threat for the Nationals, given that Singapore is just a spot below the Philippines in the world rankings.
Leading the Nationals are veterans Afril Bernardino and playing coach Mikka Cacho, along with two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Kacey Dela Rosa, and former UST star Tantoy Ferrer. The quartet will open their qualifiers bid this April 11 against Brazil, before facing a stiff acid test against Singapore later into the evening.
World No. 13 Hungary leads Pool A, where they are bunched with World No. 22 Lithuania and World No. 37 Egypt.
How can Gilas Women qualify for the World Cup?
According to the tournament page, the qualifiers will be split across three stages, starting with a round robin within the two pools. Top two teams per pool advance to Round 2, where top-seeded team plays the second-place team from the other group. Winners here automatically qualify for the 2026 3×3 World Cup scheduled this June in Warsaw, Poland.
Losing teams will then battle it out in Round 3, which will determine the third and final 3×3 World Cup qualifier.
Although straightforward, it won’t be any easier for Gilas Women, especially with higher-ranked foes like Hungary and Singapore in the mix. Even supposed underdogs like Brazil and Egypt can mount an upset should the stars align.
Either way, Gilas Women has already made history in Singapore over the weekend — one where they managed to take down giants for their silver medal. Can they do it all over again with higher stakes on the line?
Banner images from FIBA.