Gilas 3x3 U21 squads launch Nations League bid for U23 World Cup spots

The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Under-21 teams begin their six-stop Nations League campaign on Monday, aiming to earn direct qualification to the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup.

The Philippines will compete in the Asia-2 conference of the tournament, which runs from July 13 to 19 at Hextar World Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The Gilas Boys roster features FEU standouts Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, Adamson's Earl Medina, UST's Koji Buenaflor, and San Beda's Jhuniel Dela Rama.

For the Gilas Girls, Kristan Yumul headlines the squad as she makes her return to national team duty after a two-year absence. The Cal State San Marcos player will be joined by FEU's Elaine Patio, Ateneo's Alyssa Rodriguez, NU's Marga Villanueva, and Adamson's Nadine Muñoz.

Both Philippine teams are placed in the Asia-2 conference alongside New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Belarus.

In the opening leg on Monday, the Gilas Girls will face Japan and Belarus, while the Gilas Boys are scheduled to battle New Zealand and Malaysia.

The team that finishes with the best overall record after the six legs will secure an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup, scheduled for September 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China.

The Nations League represents the first of two qualification routes for the U23 World Cup, with another qualifying event for the Under-23 category set to provide additional chances for teams to secure their places in the global tournament.