Gilas 3×3 Women bow to Japan, still claim historic Asian Games silver

Ria Arevalo September 25, 2026 2 minutes read

Gilas 3×3 Women snared a historic silver medal in the 20^th Asian Games 3×3 basketball, after bowing to Japan, 11-21, in the finals Friday night at the Kinjo Futo Station Square venue in Nagoya Japan.

The Philippines put up a gallant stand, but was overpowered by the hosts, who flexed their efficient outside shooting led by Yuki Hirashita and Sakura Horiuchi’s combined six two-pointers.

Hirashita finished with nine points as Horiuchi had eight markers for Japan, which clinched their first ever Asiad gold medal in the sport.

Kacey Dela Rosa finished with six points as Amyah Espanol added three markers. Kennan Ka had two points and four rebounds while Victoria Pasilang contributed four rebounds for the Philippines.

Gilas 3×3 Women’s silver is the first ever medal of the Philippines in Asian Games 3×3 basketball since the sport’s inclusion in the continental multi-sports competition in 2018.

Meantime, Gilas Men fell short of a podium finish after absorbing a 21-10 loss at the hands of Iran, settling for the fourth place in the men’s halfcourt basketball action.

The nationals fought toe-to-toe with the Iranians in the three minutes of the match, before the Team Melli took control, led by Mohammadbasir Momeni’s outside shots.

Iran quickly unloaded a 9-2 run to turn a 3-all deadlock to a massive 12-5 advantage. The Philippines tried to catch up, as Luis Pablo and David Dungo cut the deficit to three, 12-8 midway through the match.

But that was the closest Gilas Men can get as Iran used a stifling defense and their rebounding prowess (17-5) to shut down the Filipinos.

Momeni finished with 12 points for Iran.

Leading the Philippines’ lossing effort is Dungo with four points. Pablo chipped in three markers, Nic Cabanero added two, as Koji Buenaflor had one point.

Regardless of the result, the fourth place by Gilas Men remains the team’s best finish in Asian Games men’s 3×3 basketball, surpassing the country’s eight place effort in the previous edition held three years ago in the Hangzhou China.