The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas credited the collective support of Philippine basketball stakeholders after Gilas Pilipinas Under-21 Boys 3×3 secured a spot in the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup following a dominant campaign in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Asia 2 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Competing against fellow Under-21 teams from Japan, New Zealand, Belarus, Singapore, and host Malaysia, the Filipinos reached the finals in five of the six stops and won three championships to finish atop the overall standings with 520 points, 50 clear of second-place Japan.

The qualification marks the country’s return to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup for the first time since 2018 and serves as another milestone for the SBP’s growing 3×3 program.

SBP Executive Director Erika Dy said the achievement reflects the federation’s continued investment in 3×3 basketball and the strong collaboration among its stakeholders.

“Earlier this year, our Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women ended an eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup. Now the boys’ team will also end their own eight-year drought to make it back to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup,” said Dy.

“This achievement is further proof that Filipinos are world-class not just in basketball but also in 3×3. With the support of our sponsors and the commitment of stakeholders, the SBP will continue to put our athletes in positions to succeed.”

Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio likewise expressed his appreciation to the schools, coaches, and team officials who made the campaign possible by allowing their players to represent the country.

“On behalf of the SBP 3×3 program, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the schools, coaches, and team officials who supported Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 by allowing their players to represent the country,” added Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio.

Gregorio gave special recognition to FEU Athletic Director Mark Molina and head coach Sean Chambers for moving the Tamaraws’ training camp in the United States to allow Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa to compete, as well as San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua and UST head coach Pido Jarencio for releasing Koji Buenaflor.

He also thanked Adamson head coach Nash Racela for immediately allowing Earl Medina to join the national team, and De La Salle team manager Jude Roque and head coach Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to represent Gilas while serving his residency.

“We are especially thankful to FEU Athletic Director Mark Molina and Coach Sean Chambers, who deliberately rescheduled their team’s USA training so that Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa could compete in this tournament. Our sincere appreciation also goes to Boss Alfrancis Chua and Coach Pido Jarencio for generously loaning UST big man Koji Buenaflor, to Adamson head coach Nash Racela for immediately allowing Earl Medina to join the national team, and to team manager Jude Roque and Coach Yuri Escueta for permitting Jhun Dela Rama to represent Gilas even while he is in residency. Their trust, cooperation, and shared commitment to Philippine basketball embody the spirit of ‘one team, one country.’ We truly appreciate their invaluable support.”

Program partner Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and NLEX also lauded the team’s achievement, reiterating their commitment to supporting the country’s 3×3 program from the grassroots to the elite level.

“We at MPTC and NLEX send our congratulations to the Gilas 3×3 Boys after their successful campaign in Malaysia,” said NLEX Governor Ronald Dulatre.

“We’re happy to support the SBP’s 3×3 Program from the youth teams all the way to the elite because the goal remains to be an Olympic slot for the Philippines, and investing in our young talent will pay more dividends in the future.”

Gilas opened its campaign by reaching the Stop 1 final before falling to Belarus. After missing the podium in Stop 2, the Filipinos bounced back by defeating Japan to capture Stop 3, then followed it up with consecutive titles in Stops 4 and 5 with game-winning two-pointers against New Zealand and Japan.

With the berth secured, Gilas Pilipinas will now turn its attention to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, which will be held from September 15 to 19 in Wuhan, China.

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Jordan Bartlett came through in the clutch as HoopBus HCG captured the inaugural 2026 MelMac Sports 3×3 Invitational Championship powered by Smart Sports with a thrilling 21-17 victory over Taho Story on Sunday night at MelMac Sports.

Bartlett ignited HoopBus HCG’s decisive 7-2 closing run, scoring six of his eight points in the final stretch. His biggest basket came with 21 seconds remaining, as he attacked the rim and finished over the outstretched arms of Jimwell Ocampo to seal the championship.

The 5-foot-10 De La Salle University guard led HoopBus HCG back from a 14-15 deficit, capping the team’s unbeaten run in the tournament and securing the P100,000 champion’s prize.

Billy Baptist and AJ Benson chipped in six points apiece, while Carlo De Chavez added one marker.

Taho Story, meanwhile, settled for the P50,000 runner-up prize after an impressive Cinderella run that exceeded expectations.

Ike Akpuru paced Taho Story with nine points in the finals, while Ocampo added six. Michael Macaballug scored two points, while Nikki Monteclaro was held scoreless.

Despite finishing fourth in Pool A with a 3-2 record, Taho Story authored the tournament’s biggest upset in the quarterfinals by stunning top-seeded Pool B team Zark’s Burgers, 14-8. Zark’s fielded a star-studded lineup of Mac Tallo, Alvin Pasaol, JR Alabanza, and Gian Abrigo.

The squad then defeated HCG MNL Kingpin, 21-13, in the semifinals to book its place in the championship game.

Earlier, L.A.D Basketball salvaged third place after overpowering a fatigued HCG MNL Kingpin side, 21-14, with 8:27 left on the game clock.

L.A.D Basketball, which finished second in Pool B with a 4-1 record, survived a tough 20-18 quarterfinal clash against Maharlika Foods before falling to eventual champion HoopBus HCG, 21-18, in the semifinals.

JP Sarao led the bronze medalists with eight points, while Jey Mark Mallari and Lester Quicho contributed six and five, respectively, as L.A.D Basketball claimed the P30,000 third-place prize.

HCG MNL Kingpin was led by Kit Aviso and Fubara White, who scored four points each.

Beyond crowning its first champion, the tournament also underscored MelMac Sports’ vision of helping revive the local 3×3 basketball scene by providing a platform for both established and emerging players.

MelMac Sports founder Mel Macasaquit thanked the Villar Group, represented by mall head Jeff Ventura, Smart Sports, and the tournament’s supporters for helping turn his vision into reality.

“My passion—really, my obsession—for 3×3 basketball inspired me to build this multi-sports facility,” said Macasaquit. “With the Villar Group and all of your support, we’re continuing to expand because we want to create more opportunities for athletes and help elevate the local 3×3 basketball scene.”

Macasaquit also revealed that MelMac Sports continues to broaden its reach beyond basketball.

Earlier in the day, its FIFA-standard football field at Villar City hosted its first-ever activity through G8 Academy, another milestone in the complex’s expansion.

“We’re not stopping with basketball,” he said. “Today, our FIFA-standard football field welcomed its first activity with G8 Academy, and we’re also expanding with Planet MelMac, our restaurant. We hope you’ll continue supporting us as we keep building a home for sports in the community.”

With the successful staging of its inaugural 3×3 Invitational and continued investment in world-class facilities, MelMac Sports hopes to further strengthen the grassroots sports scene while establishing itself as one of the country’s emerging hubs for basketball and other sporting events.

The Scores:

Championship:

HoopBus HCG 21 – Bartlett 8, Baptist 6, Benson 6, De Chavez 1

Taho Story 17 – Akpuru 9, Ocampo 6, Macaballug 2, Monteclaro 0

Battle for third:

L.A.D Basketball 21 – Sarao 8, Mallari 6, Quicho 5, Villapando 2

HCG MNL Kingpin 14 – Aviso 4, White 4, Tadena 3, Price 3

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Despite already clinching a berth in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup 2026, Gilas Pilipinas Boys made sure to leave Petaling Jaya with one more stop title.

Cabs Cabonilas drained the game-winning two-pointer as the Philippines edged Japan, 19-18, in overtime to capture its third stop title of the **Youth Nations League–Asia 2 Conference** on Sunday at Hextar World, Empire City.

The Filipinos surrendered a 16-12 lead with 1:13 remaining in regulation after Teruchika Naito knocked down a two-pointer to force overtime.

Naito then gave Japan championship point after converting a free throw in the extra period.

But after Naito missed a potential game-winning shot from beyond the arc, Cabonilas secured the rebound and buried the decisive two-pointer to seal the victory for Gilas.

The Philippines finished the week-long tournament with 520 points, reaching the final in all six stops except Stop 2.

Japan placed second overall with 470 points, followed by New Zealand with 430, Belarus with 405, Singapore with 305, and Malaysia with 300.

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

Takumi Ii paced Japan with nine points, while Naito finished with seven.

The Philippines will make only its third appearance in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup. Last year, the country’s girls’ squad of Kacey Dela Rosa, Tin Cayabyab, Cheska Apag, and Cielo Pagdulagan represented the Philippines in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the girls’ team of Alyssa Rodriguez, Elaine Patio, Kristan Yumul, and Marga Villanueva finished the conference in fifth place with 350 points.

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