Gilas Boys one win away from FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup berth after Youth Nations League triumph

Gilas Pilipinas Boys moved closer to earning a place in the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup after capturing the penultimate stop of the Youth Nations League–Asia 2 Conference with a thrilling 21-19 victory over New Zealand on Saturday at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The win strengthened the Philippines' hold on top of the standings with 420 points, giving the team a 30-point cushion over second-ranked Japan heading into the final stop on Sunday.

New Zealand remained in third place with 380 points, while Belarus followed with 360.

Gilas Boys can officially secure a World Cup ticket, scheduled for September 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China, by defeating both New Zealand and Singapore in the final stop. A sweep would push the Philippines to at least 500 points, beyond Japan's possible maximum total of 490.

The trio of Cabs Cabonilas, Koji Buenaflor, and Earl Medina once again delivered in the championship game.

The Philippines found itself trailing 17-15 before Cabonilas trimmed the deficit with a free throw and Buenaflor scored inside to tie the contest at 17-all.

New Zealand regained the advantage through a two-point shot from Hugo Garcia, but Cabonilas responded with a long-range basket of his own to keep Gilas within striking distance.

After forcing a crucial defensive stop, Medina knocked down the game-winning two-pointer with 1:16 remaining to seal the Philippines' second stop championship.

Cabonilas and Buenaflor led the way with eight points apiece in the final, while Medina contributed five points, including two two-pointers. Garcia paced New Zealand with 11 points.

The Philippines reached the final after sweeping its pool assignments, opening with a 13-8 victory over Japan before defeating host Malaysia, 21-14.

Buenaflor led Gilas against Japan with five points, while Medina and Jedric Daa added three apiece.

Against Malaysia, Cabonilas posted seven points, Medina chipped in six, and Daa and Buenaflor contributed four each.

Meanwhile, the Gilas Pilipinas Girls produced their strongest result of the conference by finishing third in the stop despite being out of World Cup contention.

The Filipinas remained fifth overall with 290 points, trailing third-place New Zealand by 60 points and fourth-ranked Malaysia by just 10.

After falling to New Zealand, 21-17, in their opening game, Gilas Girls bounced back with a 21-16 victory over Malaysia behind Marga Villanueva's 10 points and Alyssa Rodriguez's eight.

The Gilas Girls will conclude their campaign on Sunday in the final stop, where they are grouped with Japan and Singapore.