Gilas Women beat Kazakhstan to barge into main draw of FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas Women 3×3 capped its sweet run in the qualifying round with a rousing 21-12 victory over Kazakhstan to advance to the main draw of the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup at the Singapore Sports Hub on Thursday, March 28.

Camille Clarin stepped up big in the crucial contest, pouring nine big points to help the Filipinas dispatch the hard-fighting Kazakhs and emerge as the lone undefeated team in the qualifying draw Group B.

First day heroine Mikka Cacho remained a consistent force for Gilas as she, along with Kaye Pingol and Jhazmin Joson, finished with four points each as the Nationals booked a spot to the Pool C of the main draw where they join third seed Mongolia and sixth seed Malaysia.

Up only by three, 9-6, Clarin spearheaded a 9-2 rally for Gilas to establish a comfortable 16-8 lead with 3:25 left in the contest.

Kazakhstan tried to mount a comeback when it cut the lead down to just six but Gilas, taking full advantage of the opponent’s penalty situation, kept the separation and put the game away on Clarin’s deuce with 10.6 seconds left on the clock.

Over at the men’s side, the Gilas Men open their campaign in the main draw on Saturday, March 30, against third seed Japan and the qualifying draw winner between Australia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tahiti.

The core of the multi-titled TNT Triple Giga in the PBA 3×3 banner the Nationals although not with the team was star guard Almond Vosotros. Picking up the cudgels for him is the quartet of Ping Exciminiano, Gryann Mendoza, Chester Saldua and Joseph Sedurifa. — Reynald I. Magallon