SBP hopes Olympic dreams for Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 near

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is ramping up its efforts for Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 as the Philippines hosts two FIBA 3x3 events this week, in the hope of securing enough points to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

On May 7 and 8, the country will host the FIBA 3x3 W Series for women’s 3x3, while the men will compete in the FIBA 3x3 Challenger on the 9th and 10th at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

“I think it's not a secret that the main goal for the 3x3 program for both the men's and the women's sides is really LA 2028, so that's what we have in mind,” SBP executive director Erika Dy said on Monday.

“If you study the 3x3 infrastructure and platform, it's really about garnering the most number of points per federation and per team, and the best way to do that is to host events like this.”

On top of hosting, the Philippines will also have three teams in the FIBA 3x3 Challenger and two in the FIBA 3x3 W Series.

Right now, according to Dy, the Philippines is on track to meet its goal for the women’s team, especially after their silver medal finish at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup and qualifying for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

“On the women's side, obviously because of the good performances in the past few months, we're practically in the Olympics right now. But again, since there's a long way to go, we have to sustain that. So a little bit of pressure is on them, but I think we can pull through,” she said.

“If we don't qualify automatically, we're definitely going to make it to the Olympic qualifiers.”

“And then for the men's side, we still have a lot of catching up to do, although they've already performed better than they did last year in the Asia Cup, and I have high hopes for them,” Dy added.

How far (or near) is the SBP from its Olympic dreams in 3x3? Here is SBP ED Erika Dy’s answer @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/8wg0FgPE4D

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) May 4, 2026

According to FIBA, the host country and the top-ranked federations of each region will be given slots in the Olympics, along with six more spots to be awarded through four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, which will be held between March and June 2028, to complete the 12 participants.

Currently, the Philippines is 18th overall in the women’s 3x3 rankings and fifth in the Asia Pacific region, while the men’s team is at 39th and ninth in the region.

—JMB, GMA News