Gilas Women advance to 3x3 Batam quarterfinals after dramatic win over Japan

Mikka Cacho delivered a clutch performance as Gilas Pilipinas Women secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series-Batam Stop after defeating world No. 20 Japan, 17-15, on Thursday evening at Alun-Alun Batam Centre in Indonesia.

Needing a victory to advance to Friday’s knockout stage, the National University standout took control in the closing moments.

Gilas Women held a 15-14 lead with seven seconds remaining when Miku Takahashi drove to the basket to tie the game at 15-all.

Cacho immediately responded on the next possession, attacking Takahashi for an and-one play with 2.6 seconds left to put the Philippines ahead, 17-15.

Japan had one final opportunity, but Ufuoma Tanaka missed a corner two-pointer at the buzzer, allowing Gilas Women to secure the quarterfinal berth.

Tantoy Ferrer led the Philippines with seven points, while Cacho contributed six points and five rebounds.

Gilas Women will face Thailand in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The victory capped a demanding day for the Filipinas, who first had to survive the qualifying draw to reach the main tournament.

The Philippines opened the qualifiers with a 21-11 victory over Vietnam before edging Slovakia, 16-15. Ferrer led the way with eight points, while Camille Clarin and Cacho added four points each.

Gilas Women then suffered a 21-9 loss to France in their opening main draw assignment, setting up the crucial matchup against Japan.

Elizabeth Means continued to play despite dealing with a right shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, Manila Gilas failed to move past the qualifying draw.

The team, composed of Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, Camille Malagar, and Lee Sario, fell to Egypt, 20-18, and Mongolia, 22-18. Malagar and Sario replaced Tin Cayabyab and Ann Pingol in the lineup.

Despite the losses, Malagar impressed in her Women’s Series debut, scoring a combined 16 points across the two games.