Gilas Women survive Lebanon in FIBA Asia Cup, clinch 2026 World Cup qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines, July 17 ------ For the first time ever, Gilas Pilipinas Women will have a chance to qualify for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The Filipinas earned a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournaments after escaping Lebanon, 73-70, in their group phase matchup in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.

With the victory, the Philippines advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Women’s Asia Cup and secured an automatic ticket to the Women’s World Cup qualifiers due to an assured top-six finish in the tournament. “This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so,” said Gilas Women head coach Pat Aquino as they also avoided being relegated to Division B. “We’re glad to be competing and not just staying in Division A, but we still have to improve and we hope we level up again soon,” he added.

A total of five players scored in double figures for Gilas Women in the hard-earned win, with Naomi Panganiban leading the way with 15 points, none bigger than her two pressure-packed free throws with 8.3 seconds left. With the Philippines on top by two possessions, 71-66, after two free throws by Sumayah Sugapong at the 2:18 mark of the fourth quarter, Lebanon responded with three straight charities, to pull within just two points, 71-69, with still 1:15 to play.

The Lebanese then had an opportunity for a tie at 71-all after Sugapong fell short on her potential dagger triple with 53 seconds, but Lebanon’s Jillian Archer only managed to connect on 1 of her 2 free throws to get within one, 71-70. Panganiban then calmly swished her two clutch freebies to put the Philippines up by 3, 73-70, as Lebanon failed to get a three-point attempt as time expired.

Sugapong and Jack Animam backstopped Panganiban with 14 points each, with the latter also collecting a game-high 16 rebounds. Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points, while Kacey dela Rosa contributed 10 markers for Gilas Women, who blew a 17-point lead in the opening period. The Philippines overcame a huge double-double performance by Archer, who put up a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds for Lebanon. After finishing third in Group B with a 1-2 record, Gilas Women will have a one-day break on Thursday, July 17, before going up against the No. 2 seed in Group A in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18 at 4:30 pm.

The Scores

Philippines 73 – Panganiban 15, Sugapong 14, Animam 14, De Jesus 13, Dela Rosa 10, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.

Lebanon 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.

Quarters: 29-12, 41-37, 55-57, 73-70.

Source: rappler.com