Senator Joel Villanueva has filed a Senate resolution recognizing the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Basketball Team following their historic silver medal finish in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026 held in Kallang, Singapore.
In Senate Resolution No. 360, Villanueva commended the national women’s team for securing the country’s first-ever medal in the FIBA 3x3 competition, calling it a remarkable achievement for Philippine sports and a source of national pride.
Resolution ng pagkilala sa Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Basketball Team, inihain ni Sen. Joel Villanueva.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 7, 2026
Nanalo ng silver medal ang Gilas Pilipinas sa katatapos na FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026 sa Kallang, Singapore. | RH 28 @RaymundDadpaas, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/tiqFqetM6P
The team, composed of Afril Bernardino, Kacey Dela Rosa, Cheska Apag and Mikka Cacho, improved from a fourth-place finish in the 2025 tournament to claim the silver medal this year.
Villanueva praised the squad for its resilience and performance throughout the البطولة, noting Bernardino’s inclusion in the Team of the Tournament.
“The Gilas Pilipinas Women's basketball team’s achievement serves as an inspiration to Filipino athletes, especially women in sports, and highlights the growing strength of Philippine basketball on the global stage,” Villanueva said.
The senator, a former member of the 1994 Philippine Youth Team that competed in the SEABA Championship in Malaysia, said the team’s victories over higher-ranked squads demonstrated the rapid development of women’s basketball in the country.
The Philippines defeated second-seeded Mongolia, 15–12, in the quarterfinals before pulling off a 21–19 win over Japan in the semifinals to advance to the gold medal match against Australia.
Villanueva also congratulated the men’s 3x3 team for reaching the quarterfinals, its best finish in the tournament since 2022.
He said the dedication of the players, coaches and support staff reflects discipline, passion, teamwork and patriotism that bring honor to the Filipino people.
“Kulang man po tayo minsan sa tangkad, higante naman ang puso ng ating mga atletang Pinoy para mabigyang karangalan ang ating mga kababayan,” Villanueva said.
