Gilas Men bow to Korea, miss Asian Games 3×3 gold-medal clash

September 26 ------ Gilas Pilipinas Men’s magical run toward an Asian Games gold medal came to an end at the hands of one of the continent’s top 3×3 teams. The quartet of Nic Cabanero, Luis Pablo, Doy Dungo, and Koji Buenaflor bowed to FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2026 runner-up South Korea, 21-9 at Kinjo Futo Station Square.

It was the same South Korean team that defeated the PBA selection in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup last April. Gilas Pilipinas will now drop to the bronze medal game, where it will face the loser of the Qatar-Iran semifinal. The Koreans, who have been playing together in 3×3 since the start of the national team window, proved too overwhelming for the Filipinos, racing to a 13-2 lead while stifling Gilas on both ends of the court.

Lee Juyeong then nailed the game-winner with 29 seconds remaining to seal Korea’s victory. It was a difficult outing for Gilas, which shot just 7-of-21 from the field, including 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. Pablo and Buenaflor scored three points apiece for Gilas, while Cabanero added two. Kim Seungwoo led Korea with eight points, while Lee Juyeong chipped in six.

Source: tiebreakertimes.com.ph