Gilas women exit FIBA 3×3 World Cup but beat No. 11 Italy

GILAS PILIPINAS women will not go home empty handed from its FIBA 3×3 World Cup return.

The 17^th ranked Philippines took down world No. 11 Italy for a graceful exit in its World Cup comeback after eight years late on Wednesday night in Warsaw, Poland.

It’s the first win for Gilas in FIBA 3×3 World Cup in history after going winless in the 2018 edition hosted by the Philippines at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Camille Clarin led the way with eight points, drawing ample contributions from Afril Bernardino (4), Mikka Cacho (3) and Kacey Dela Rosa (2) in slaying a European powerhouse.

The win atoned for Gilas’ defeats against Latvia, 14-11, Germany, 22-10, and China, 20-12, in Pool C.

Gilas made it back to the prestigious 3×3 World Cup after a 21-10 win over Singapore at its homecourt last April in the qualifiers. Gilas reached the semifinals but bowed to Lithuania, 21-16, before netting the third and final World Cup ticket.

In the 5×5 play at home, Gilas is on course to a sweep and a return to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup with an unbeaten slate so far in the SEABA Qualifiers at the STI West Negros Gym in Bacolod City.

Gilas Pilipinas U18 girls have beaten Singapore, 83-53, and Vietnam, 93-42, so far entering a duel against Thailand at press time. Indonesia is the team’s last assignment on Saturday.

Gilas is looking to sweep the region once again after doing so in 2024 en route to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup, where it ruled the Division B to earn a Division A promotion slated in Malaysia next month. — Joey Villar