Gilas 3x3 out to defy odds in FIBA meet

MANILA, Philippines — After a decent Final Four finish last edition, Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 brims with high hopes of replicating its success or even surpassing it when it tangles with the continent’s best of the best in the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore today.

Seeded fourth in the 12-team tournament, the Nationals led by PBA 3x3 scoring champion Almond Vosotros of TNT begin their quest in Pool D main draw against No. 5 Qatar and a qualifier

Gilas takes on the survivor of the four-team Qualifying Draw D featuring Malaysia, Iran, Hong Kong and Brunei at 3:15 p.m., before wrapping up preliminary action against Qatar at 8:45 p.m.

The Philippines, also featuring TNT’s Samboy de Leon, Cavitex’s Jorey Napoles and Platinum Karaoke’s Brandon Bates, needs to finish in the top two to make it to the quarterfinals of the Asian 3x3 joust led by powerhouse teams Mongolia, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand.

Under the tutelage of coach Lester del Rosario, Gilas’ tall order is to make the podium this time after a fourth-place finish last year also in Singapore.

Gilas then worked its way from the qualifiers.