Gilas 3x3 on Olympic track

NAGOYA – The program is in place. It is progressing. And more than anything, it is on the right path.

That’s the big picture emerging from Gilas Pilipinas 3x3’s showing in the 20th Asian Games here – a fourth-place finish for the men out of 18 teams and a breakthrough silver-medal feat for the women.

For Philippine 3x3 program director Ryan Gregorio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy, that progress is what matters most. The ultimate target is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“The most important thing we’re seeing is progress in the program,” said Gregorio.

“It’s been a good year so far for the 3x3 program. We have shown tremendous progress in both the men’s and women’s category. The critical element is identifying the best talent, fast track their cohesion and compete until the final buzzer,” he added.

The men’s team, which fell in the quarters in the last edition, went one big step further this time, making the semis after beating defending champion Chinese Taipei.

“For the women’s team, it was a big achievement for us to be able to finish second place,” said Gregorio. “We’re really hoping for a gold-medal finish but Japan played better than us in the final.”

Dy shared the same pride, pointing to how far the program has come.

“We’re very proud. If you compare it to the previous Asian Games, malaki ang improvement. Women’s actually wasn’t able to compete in the previous edition; our men’s fell in the quarters. But this time around, we made the semifinals as we’re able to beat Chinese Taipei, the defending champion. Kaya lang medyo naubusan tayo pagdating sa semis and bronze-medal game. Just the same we’re proud of them,” said Dy.

The silver, she admitted, left a bittersweet taste.

“I’m not gonna lie, we’re disappointed as we really wanted the gold. But then we’re happy we’re able to contribute to the medal count,” she said.

Dy said their results here speak volumes of the program, crediting coaches Patrick Fran and Anton Altamirano for the job they’re doing with each team.

This is already the third silver for the women’s team – in the Asia Cup, in the Asian Beach Games and now in the Asian Games.

“The gold will come. We just have to keep trying, and we’ll win the gold someday,” said Dy.

Now the work continues, with an eye on the bigger goal.