Gilas women open Asiad 3x3 campaign on high note

NAGOYA -- Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3x3 team opened its Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games campaign with a bang on Tuesday, stunning powerhouse Mongolia, 17-12, before routing Macau, 21-4, at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue here.

Kacey Dela Rosa overcame an early ankle injury to lead the Philippines past the higher-ranked Mongolians, before the nationals carried the momentum into their second game to sweep their opening assignments in Group C.

The 2-0 start assured Gilas Women of a place in the play-ins, while keeping its sights on the group’s top seed, which comes with a direct berth in the quarterfinals. The strong opening also mirrored the unbeaten start of the Philippine men’s 3x3 team in its own campaign.

Dela Rosa shook off a right-ankle sprain suffered just two minutes into the opening game and returned to dominate inside, finishing with 10 points and three rebounds.

"It (injury) is not an excuse para mag-stop sa paglaban. I came back and we got the win," the 22-year-old Dela Rosa said in an interview with One Sports.

"I saw my team and the opponents were up already, parang doon na nag-click na they need me inside. Kaya 'yun, I tied my shoes and came back in," added the Ateneo standout, who was part of the Philippines’ gold medal-winning 3x3 team at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

With Dela Rosa controlling the paint, the nationals erased an 8-5 deficit and unleashed a 10-3 run to move ahead, 15-11, with 1:03 left before holding off the Mongolians the rest of the way.

Kennan Ka added three points, while Amyah Espanol and Victoria Pasilang contributed two apiece to secure the victory for coach Anton Altamirano’s squad.

"Mongolia is one of the top teams in the world... And the first game's always the hardest, but we were able to really manage good possessions, especially when Kacey was down. We made really good stops to get the victory," said Altamirano, who also praised Dela Rosa for battling through the injury.

"She's a tough girl. She's been through stuff like this. It's a testament to her character and mental toughness," he added.

Pasilang and Ka took charge in the second game as the Philippines dismantled Macau, with Pasilang pouring in eight points and Ka seven, as Dela Rosa was given limited playing time.

Dela Rosa still chipped in four points, though, while Espanol delivered an all-around performance with two points, eight rebounds and five assists to complete the sweep.

The Gilas Women will shoot for the No. 1 seed on Wednesday when they face fellow unbeaten Malaysia at 5:05 p.m.

Malaysia also finished opening day at 2-0 after beating Macau, 14-3, and Mongolia, 17-11. 

The Philippines, however, sits atop Group C by virtue of a superior point differential.