Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women return to FIBA 3x3 World Cup after eight years

The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women are headed back to the FIBA 3x3 World Cup after eight years, following a 21-10 win over host Singapore to secure the third and final ticket in the World Cup Qualifiers on Sunday.

Earlier, the Gilas Women squad, composed of Cheska Apag, Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, and Kacey Dela Rosa, fell to Lithuania, 21-16, in the semifinals, relegating them to the battle for the last World Cup berth.

The Philippines then took control early in the match, building an 11-7 lead before Cacho went down with an apparent leg injury at the fourth minute. She later returned and helped extend the advantage, combining with Dela Rosa for consecutive baskets to give Gilas a 16-8 cushion with just over three minutes remaining.

Cacho then pushed the lead to 17-9, before Dela Rosa’s free throws stretched the gap to double digits. Singapore managed to trim the deficit, but Bernardino sealed the win, and the World Cup berth, with clutch free throws.

Dela Rosa had 11 points, while Bernardino and Cacho had 6 and 4 points, respectively.

On Saturday, Gilas opened with a 16-13 loss to Brazil before bouncing back with a 21-19 win over Singapore to advance to the knockout phase.

The Philippines last qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in 2018, where it finished 17th.

—JKC, GMA News