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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Gilas Women up for daunting task in FIBA 3x3 World Cup

Gilas Women up for daunting task in FIBA 3x3 World Cup

Published Apr 21, 2026 03:04 pm

At A Glance

  • The Gilas Pilipinas women's 3x3 basketball team is leaving no stone unturned in its buildup, doing everything possible to peak at the right time as it eyes an impressive campaign in the upcoming 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup slated June 1 to 7 in Warsaw, Poland.
SBP executive director Erika Dy, from left, Kacey Dela Rosa, Mikka Cacho, Reynalyn Ferrer, Cheska Apag, Women's 3x3 coach Anton Altamirano, Afril Bernardino, coach Virgil Villavicencio, and SBP 3x3 basketball director Ryan Gregorio
SBP executive director Erika Dy, from left, Kacey Dela Rosa, Mikka Cacho, Reynalyn Ferrer, Cheska Apag, Women's 3x3 coach Anton Altamirano, Afril Bernardino, coach Virgil Villavicencio, and SBP 3x3 basketball director Ryan Gregorio
The Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3x3 basketball team is leaving no stone unturned in its buildup, doing everything possible to peak at the right time as it eyes an impressive campaign in the upcoming 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup slated June 1 to 7 in Warsaw, Poland. 
Bannered by Gilas mainstay Afril Bernardino, the Nationals are bracing for a hectic calendar ahead of their return after its last appearance in the 2018 edition.
Twenty countries, including world No. 1 and reigning champion the Netherlands, are expected to duke it out for the trophy and earn precious points to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Following their silver-medal finish at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup Final in Singapore earlier this month, Bernardino, alongside young guns Kacey Dela Rosa, Mikka Cacho, Reynalyn Ferrer, Cheska Apag and head coach Anton Altamirano, graced the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday, April 21.
“Right now wala kaming break eh, tuloy tuloy ‘yong training. Before mag-June marami kaming lalaruan, short preparation, pocket tournaments, basically, there’s no stopping for us,” said Altamirano, who sat alongside SBP 3x3 program director Ryan Gregorio and SBP executive director Erika Dy.
“Definitely, we’re going to come into the World Cup, representing our country the best we can. Whatever the outcome, we’re going to be heads up high and give our best, and we’re going to shock the world,” he added in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
The Nationals are also laser focused on earning points by joining FIBA competitions, one of which is the 3x3 Women’s Series Manila Stop from May 7 to 8. The Philippines joins powerhouse teams in Poland, US, Japan, Germany, China, and Singapore, to name a few.
There, those points are crucial for the Gilas buildup toward the Games as it is one of the ways to earn the coveted ticket apart from winning an Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) Tournament or becoming Top Two in the continent.
Bernardino, a 30-year-old veteran who was already then a member of Gilas Women 3x3 composed of Gemma Miranda, Janine Pontejos, and Jack Animam in the 2018 edition held here, marked her comeback in the World Cup, which for her was a fulfilling moment, especially after seeing the growth of women’s basketball in the country.
“Siguro from most of the result before, ang layo ng difference eh, siyempre super fulfilling kasi from mababa, nakaya naming makipagsabayan sa Asian at sa World Cup,” said Bernardino.

Related Tags

FIBA 3x3 World Cup Gilas Pilipinas Afril Bernardino Anton Alatamirano Kacey Dela Rosa Cheska Apag Reynalyn Ferrer Mikka Gacho FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup
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