Gilas Men 3x3 escape India to reach Asian Beach Games semifinals

Gilas Pilipinas Men 3x3 pulled away late to pull off an 18-14 win against India in 2026 Asian Beach Games men's basketball 3x3 quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium in China. 

The Filipinos broke a 14-all deadlock with a furious 4-0 closing run to deny the Indians and clinch a semifinals spot. There, they will face Thailand, which defeated Mongolia with a 21-11 win in their quarterfinals bracket. 

Nic Cabañero led the way anew after the former UAAP standout poured a team-high seven points while his fellow UST star Gelo Cristostomo and incoming San Beda Red Lion Aldous Torculas chipped in four markers each. 

Veteran 3x3 player Jeff Manday churned out three points to round our the scoring. 

In the semifinals, the Filipinos will face a formidable Thailand squad that swept Group D by dominating Hong Kong, Singapore, and Chinese Taipei. The Thais are led by Chanatip Jakrawan and Freddie Lish. 

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News