Gilas Pilipinas Women’s team gets eliminated early at the FIBA 3×3 tournament in Chengdu, China, last May 2, 2025, after a 1-1 record.
Debut Loss Against Ulaanbaatar Amazons and Bounceback Win Versus Bangkok
The Philippines opened their campaign with a 21-10 loss against the Ulaanbaatar Amazons. Gilas’ players Tantoy Ferrer, Alexis Pana, Kaye Pingol, and Mikka Cacho, who all participated in the inaugural season of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL), have shown grit and grind in facing tough opponents.
It is also worth noting that this wasn’t the same Gilas 3×3 women’s team that made noise at the FIBA Asia Cup last April 2025.
Despite the early setback, Gilas Pilipinas was determined that they weren’t going home without entering the winning column. They did manage to defeat Bangkok, 21-10, later on that same day.
Pana had 8 points in their win while Cacho had 5 points and 4 rebounds. Ferrer and Pingol each scored 4 points to get the win before flying back home to the Philippines.
Key Players Soon to Join
According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy, the heavy hitters for the Philippines will soon return in the later 3×3 tournaments.
“The team is not complete yet because we do have a lot of players—who we anticipate to be in the roster—who are still in the US,” Dy told reporters recently on the sidelines of the basketball body’s National Congress held at the Meralco complex in Ortigas which was reported by Inquirer.net.
“But it’s the same program, it’s still coach Pat [Aquino], so they’re very familiar with the system and we’re confident that we’ll do well in the Asia Cup,” she added.
Among players to soon suit up again for the Philippines are Ella Fajardo and naturalized player Vanessa de Jesus.
All Eyes on September
With this record, Gilas Pilipinas ended the tournament in the 9th spot among the 12 participating countries. The Chengdu leg is one of the 17 stops for the Women’s Series that will culminate in the Final in September.
