The Gilas Pilipinas Women in action against Singapore in the semifinals of the 3x3 basketball competition in the 6th Asian Beach Games, April 29, 2026 at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium in Sanya, China. POC Media
MANILA -- The Gilas Pilipinas Women have a chance to play for a gold medal in the 3x3 basketball competition of the 6th Asian Beach Games.
This, after the Gilas Women trounced Singapore, 20-13, in the semifinals on Wednesday at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium in Sanya, China.
Mikka Cacho keyed crucial runs, including an early and-one play followed by a score to push Gilas' lead to four, 9-5, with 6:46 left in the ball game.
While the Singaporeans tried to keep things interesting with their outside shooting when they were within three points, 9-12, Tantoy Ferrer and Kaye Pingol made sure to keep Philippines in control. With 2:26 left, Gilas were ahead by six, 17-11.
After the match, Cacho admitted that it was a hard-fought win and they are now expecting a dogfight against host country China, whom they face in the final at 7 p.m. also Wednesday.
"Sobrang saya. Pero pagod na pagod na. Pero, yeah, job's not done. Mayroon pa kaming finals game [for the] gold medal. We'll do our best," she told POC Media at the venue.
Cacho finished with a team-high outing of eight points while Ferrer added six markers of her own. Pingol chipped in five points while Gabi Bade put the icing on the cake with the last point of the match with five seconds remaining.
China clinched its spot in the final after outlasting Thailand in a thriller, 18-16, in the other semifinal earlier.
READ: Gilas men, women advance to 3x3 semis in Asian Beach Games
The Gilas Men, meanwhile, fell short in their own semis game against Southeast Asian rival Thailand, 18-20.
The Nationals battled back from a huge 13-19 deficit behind the efforts of Nic Cabanero inside the last three minutes but it came a little too late as the time ran out for Gilas.
They were within two points, 18-20, but came up short in their last two possessions.
"Sa dulo parang nakahabol kami pero we came short pa rin. Siguro more experience pa para sa amin," said Jeff Manday.
"Siguro yung defense and yung plays namin hindi maitakbo. Credits rin sa Thailand talagang trinabaho rin nila," he added as Gilas allowed Thailand to pull away from a tight 12-12 count.