By El Amigo
MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas Women made Philippine basketball history on Friday after capturing the silver medal in the women’s 3×3 competition at the 20th Asian Games, helping lift the country’s medal haul to nine in Aichi-Nagoya.
The Filipinas — Kacey Dela Rosa, Kennan Ka, Amyah Espanol and Maria Pasilang — fell to host Japan, 21-11, in the gold-medal match at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue.
Despite missing the gold, the Philippines secured its first-ever Asian Games medal in 3×3 basketball since the discipline was introduced to the continental Games in 2018.
Gilas Women reached the championship game after an unbeaten run in Group C. They opened with a 17-12 upset of Mongolia before posting victories over Macau and Malaysia.
The Filipinas then defeated Singapore, 22-12, before beating Thailand, 13-8, in the semifinals to secure a place in the gold-medal showdown.
Dela Rosa led the Philippines with six points in the final, while Espanol added three and Ka two. Japan was powered by Yuki Hirashita and Sakura Horiuchi, who combined for 17 points as the hosts secured the gold.
Head coach Anton Altamirano praised his players for their hard work and sacrifices throughout their maiden Asian Games campaign.
“I really believe they deserve to win that,” Altamirano said, referring to his players’ effort and sacrifices, while expressing pride that the team was still able to bring home a medal.
The historic Gilas silver became the Philippines’ second silver medal in Aichi-Nagoya and the country’s eighth medal at the time of the final. Karl Eldrew Yulo’s bronze in gymnastics later brought the Philippine tally to nine medals — two golds, two silvers and five bronzes.
Gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo accounted for both gold medals, ruling the men’s floor exercise and vault.
Jean Claude Saclag won silver in men’s traditional -65kg MMA, joining the Gilas women as the country’s other silver medalist.
The five bronze medals came from Karl Eldrew Yulo in men’s horizontal bar; Carlos Alvarez in men’s traditional -77kg MMA; the Philippine women’s soft tennis team of Princess Catindig, Bien Zoleta, Christy Sanosa, Shyryn Salazar and Hilary Paas; Samantha Veguillas, Ysabielle Arrogante and Rebecca Torres in women’s team kata; and Marie June Adriano in women’s individual kumite -50kg.
With competition continuing in Aichi-Nagoya, Team Philippines remains in pursuit of additional medals as the Asian Games move toward their final stretch.
