Manila posts historic best finish for Philippine team in FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series

Manila Gilas delivered a breakthrough performance, finishing fourth in the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Xiantao Stop—the highest placement ever recorded by a Philippine team since joining the circuit in 2024.

The Filipinas opened the knockout stage with a 20-17 upset of Paraguay in the quarterfinals before falling to host China, 21-11, in the semifinals on Sunday.

The result surpassed the previous best finish by a Philippine squad in the Women’s Series, when Gilas Women placed fifth in the Wuhan Stop in 2024.

Tin Cayabyab led Manila’s quarterfinal charge with a scorching 13-point outing, highlighted by four two-point conversions, helping the team exact revenge on Paraguay, which had earlier beaten Gilas Women 16-10 in pool play.

With the score tied at 16-all, Sam Harada delivered a clutch two-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to put Manila ahead for good. After Paraguay cut the lead to one, Cayabyab sealed the win by calmly sinking two free throws.

China, however, ended Manila’s run in the semifinals with a dominant showing. Li Wenxia led the hosts with 10 points, while Yang Hengyu added six in a convincing victory.

Cayabyab paced Manila with five points in the loss, while Kaye Pingol, Harada, and Ann Pingol contributed three, two, and one point, respectively.

Despite falling short of the final, Manila’s strong performance lifted the team to No. 26 in the FIBA 3x3 rankings, ahead of Gilas Women, who dropped to No. 31.

Meanwhile, Gilas Women were eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 21-10 defeat to eventual champion Ulaanbaatar.

Mikka Cacho led the team with four points, while Camille Clarin, Elizabeth Means, and Tantoy Ferrer each added two.

Ulaanbaatar was powered by Thao My Truong with seven points, Amari Robinson with six, and Khulan Onolbaatar with five, as the experienced squad went on to capture the tournament title.