FIBA: Upcoming 3x3 World Cup a chance for Gilas Women to boost Olympic hopes

MANILA, April 26 ------ The Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3x3 squad is bound for the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Poland, but the tournament is just part of a bigger picture for the Filipina hoopers.

Aside from marking the country’s return to the world stage for the first time in eight years, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy pointed out that qualifying for the Poland tournament is also a major boost to Gilas’ hopes of reaching the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “The dream is to make it to the 2028 Olympics,” said Dy during Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Complex. “The campaign starts this year, kasi lahat ng napapanalunan natin at sinasalihan nating FIBA tournaments contribute to Olympic points, which will help us qualify,” she added.

While the path will not be easy, there are multiple routes for Gilas to make it to Los Angeles. The first is finishing in the top two in Asia in terms of accumulated points from FIBA 3x3 tournaments from 2026 up to the Olympic cutoff, which would secure a spot in the Summer Games. “It’s a huge possibility given our silver medal in the Asian Cup,” said Dy. “Yun ang hinahabol natin.”

Another path is through the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, though Dy acknowledged the challenge given the players’ commitments outside the federation. “It will not be an easy route,” she said. “But we leave it up to the players kung ano ang priority nila. As long as walang conflict, mina-manage lang namin sila. Pero kung magkasabay, we leave it to the players kung saan sila committed.”

Most of the Gilas 3x3 players are also juggling duties with the 5-on-5 team, but SBP 3x3 program director Ryan Gregorio assured that continuity and sustainability will not be an issue, as there is a wide pool of players available for the halfcourt program. “Some of the players are also doing things outside the team, so we are positioning ourselves to have a wide pool,” he said. “We are focused on developing more players.”

For now, Gilas Women’s 3x3 team is focused on its campaign in the World Cup in Poland, set from June 1 to 7.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com