SBP eyes Gilas in full force for LA Olympics

Recent years have shown progress in the country’s national basketball teams as both the men’s and women’s Gilas Pilipinas rosters have shown positive results. With the 2028 Olympics nearing, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is confident of a full-force showing from everyone.

The men’s side has played in the Summer Olympics seven times, last competing in the 5×5 tournament in 1972 at the Munich Olympics, while the women’s squad have made strides in qualifying but have never appeared in the quadrennial tournament.

For SBP Executive Director Erika Dy, 2026 will be a pivotal year for the Philippines’ basketball, as they are confident that the recent progress can bear fruit for not only the 5×5 squads but also in the 3×3 categories.

“We do believe we have the chance to get to the Olympics for all those four teams, we have carved pathways for them,” she said.

“Even for our Gilas Men, as disappointing as the Asia Cup was, we’re actually still on pace with our goal of making it in the Olympics,” she added.

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Justin Brownlee drains a clutch triple to send Gilas Pilipinas into overtime against Saudi Arabia, keeping their quarterfinal dreams alive in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup!#GilasPilipinas #AsiaCup

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Gilas fell out in the quarterfinals of the Asia Cup last August against familiar foe and eventual champions Australia, but showed significant improvements as Justin Brownlee carried the country with wins against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

The women’s squad, spearheaded by Ateneo center Kacey Dela Rosa and Filipino-American Naomi Panganiban, finished in sixth place as they fell to South Korea in the semifinal qualification round.

Despite an early exit in the Asia Cup, Dy said the real challenge will come in the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers at the end of the year.

“Because the World Cup Qualifiers, that’s where it starts, it doesn’t begin until November, December, so we have to regroup,” Dy said.

“I believe coach Tim (Cone) knows what to do, he had a really good assessment of the previous tournament, and he’s already working towards adjustments for the coming qualifiers,” she added.

Gilas Pilipinas will kickstart its World Cup Asia Qualifiers campaign against Guam on Nov. 28.

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