Gilas Pilipinas Women ended their 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament campaign on a high note, scoring a decisive 74-59 victory over Colombia on Tuesday, March 17, at Astroballe in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France.

Despite finishing the tournament with a 1-4 record in Group D and missing out on a World Cup berth, the win marked a significant milestone for the national team, demonstrating their growth and resilience against higher-ranked opponents.

Kacey Dela Rosa led the charge with a dominant double-double of 25 points and 18 rebounds, while Sumayah Sugapong contributed 21 points to secure the breakthrough victory.

The Philippines had a tough run in the tournament, losing to powerhouse teams:

• 66-115 vs. France

• 80-113 vs. Germany

• 84-101 vs. Nigeria

• 74-105 vs. South Korea

• 74-59 vs. Colombia

With the win, Gilas Women finished fifth in the group, just outside the top four that advanced to the World Cup.

France and South Korea claimed the top two spots in the group and qualified for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup, while Nigeria secured a spot by winning the 2025 Women’s Afrobasket, and Germany qualified automatically as the host nation.

Finishing the tournament with a hard-fought win over Colombia gives the Gilas Women a positive note to build on as they look toward future competitions in Asia and beyond.