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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Gilas Boys nip Japan in OT to clinch spot in FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup

Gilas Boys nip Japan in OT to clinch spot in FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup

Published Jul 19, 2026 07:15 pm

At A Glance

  • Wilhalm Cabonilas nailed the game-winning deuce as the Gilas Pilipinas U21 team outlasted Japan, 19-18, in overtime to not only top the sixth and final stop of the FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2026 but more importantly clinch the lone ticket to the U23 World Cup on Sunday, July 19.

Wilhalm Cabonilas nailed the game-winning deuce as the Gilas Pilipinas U21 team outlasted Japan, 19-18, in overtime to not only top the sixth and final stop of the FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2026 but more importantly clinch the lone ticket to the U23 World Cup on Sunday, July 19.

Needing two points to bag the crown in overtime, the Nationals dodged two huge bullets from Japan before the ball found its way to the hands of Cabonilas who drained a left corner deuce to seal the deal for the Filipinos.

Koji Buenaflor led the way with seven points while Jhuniel Dela Rama added six. Cabonilas and Jedric Daa chipped in three apiece.

Gilas and Japan, playing for the third time in the finals of the six-leg tournament, were tied 17-all at the end of regulation. Teruchika Naito put the Japanese up, 18-17, from the foul line but they missed their next two shots, allowing the Filipino to steal the game on the clutch Cabonilas deuce.

Cabonilas’ heroics were also reminiscent of the team’s gutsy performance in the Stop 5 where Earl Medina also nailed a booming deuce to take down New Zealand, 21-19.

Medina sat out Stop 6.

In all, Gilas accumulated 520 points after claiming three stop titles. 

After settling for a runner-up in Stop 1 after a 14-21 defeat to Belarus and missing out on the playoffs in Stop 2, the Nationals claimed their first title in Stop 3 after defeating Japan, 19-14.

Japan, however, exacted its revenge against Gilas with a 14-13 win to claim the fourth stop, setting up the table to the back-to-back impressive runs in the last two stops.

With the win Gilas accumulated a total of 520 points — highlighted by its three titles in the six-leg tournament.

Related Tags

Gilas U23 FIBA 3x3 Nations League Wilhalm Cabonilas
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