The Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 women have punched their ticket to the gold medal match, securing a historic best-ever finish at the Asian Beach Games after a commanding 20-13 victory over Singapore at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium.
The Filipinas took control early, fueled by the relentless energy of Mikka Cacho. Her aggressive “and-one” play sparked a crucial run that established a 9-5 lead, setting a physical tone that Singapore struggled to match.
Though Singapore attempted to claw back with outside shooting to trim the lead to 9-12, the Philippines remained composed. Tantoy Ferrer and Kaye Pingol took charge in the closing minutes, orchestrating a decisive push that extended the cushion to 17-11. Their clinical execution down the stretch ensured that the lead stayed out of reach, sealing the win with over two minutes to spare.
While the women celebrated a milestone, the Gilas men’s team suffered a heartbreaking exit in their semifinal clash. Facing regional rival Thailand, the Nationals fell behind 13-19 in the final period. Nic Cabanero led a heroic late-game surge to bring the Philippines within striking distance, but the clock expired on their comeback, resulting in a narrow 18-20 defeat.
The focus now shifts entirely to the Gilas Belles, who stand just one win away from a gold medal. After a dominant semifinal performance, the Philippine women are poised to turn this historic run into a championship legacy.
With additional report: The Philippine Star
