Manila Gilas reaches quarterfinals of FIBA 3x3 Ulaanbaatar Stop

Manila Gilas booked a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series – Ulaanbaatar Stop after sweeping the qualifying round and finishing second in Pool D on Thursday at Sukhbaatar Main Square in Mongolia.

The Filipinas opened their campaign with convincing victories over Lion City, 15-5, and host Sukhbaatar, 21-13, completing the latter win in just 7 minutes and 56 seconds to advance to the main draw.

They carried that momentum into pool play, where Ann Pingol and Tin Cayabyab delivered in crunch time to lift Manila Gilas to a hard-fought 20-18 win over Mongolia in its opening Pool D game.

China's 19-11 victory over Mongolia later in the day officially secured Manila Gilas a berth in Friday's quarterfinals.

The Filipinas, however, were unable to overcome China in their final group-stage assignment, falling 21-13 in 9 minutes and 21 seconds to finish as the Pool D runners-up.

Manila Gilas will now take on Germany in the quarterfinals scheduled for Friday at 4:10 p.m.

Cayabyab starred in the qualifying round, scoring nine points against Lion City—more than the opposing team managed—and followed it up with 10 points against Sukhbaatar. Sam Harada also made her presence felt with seven points in the second game.

Pingol took charge in the victory over Mongolia, finishing with a team-high nine points.

With the score tied at 18-all and only 27 seconds left, Pingol converted the go-ahead basket before Cayabyab knocked down the game-clinching shot to secure the win.

China proved to be a tougher challenge in the Pool D finale. Kaye Pingol led Manila Gilas with five points, while Harada and Cayabyab chipped in four markers each.

Meanwhile, Gilas Women 3x3—composed of Kacey Dela Rosa, Tantoy Ferrer, Mikka Cacho, and Camille Clarin—fell short of advancing after absorbing losses to New Zealand, 21-13, and Paraguay, 20-18, in the qualifying phase.

Dela Rosa was limited to two points against New Zealand but bounced back with seven markers in the narrow defeat to Paraguay.