Gilas Women stun No. 19 Colombia in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers breakthrough

History arrived not with a whisper, but with a surge. The Gilas Pilipinas Women finally broke through on the global stage, overpowering the Colombia women’s national basketball team, 74-59, to secure their first-ever victory in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

For a team stepping into this level of competition for the first time, the journey to that milestone win was anything but smooth. Early nerves showed as Colombia dictated the tempo in the opening half, building a double-digit cushion behind timely baskets, including a layup from Jennifer Muñoz that stretched the lead to 36-26 late in the second quarter.

Still, Gilas refused to unravel. Down 33-40 at the break, the Filipinas returned to the floor with a different edge — one built on composure, energy, and belief.

Veteran presence met youthful spark in the third quarter, with Afril Bernardino and Sumayah Sugapong igniting a turnaround that slowly chipped away at Colombia’s control. By the end of the period, the Philippines had flipped the script, taking a 51-47 advantage and setting the stage for a defining final quarter.

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Kacey Dela Rosa and Sumayah Sugapong put up big numbers as Gilas Pilipinas Women score a historic 74–59 win over Colombia for their first-ever victory in the 2027 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.#GilasPilipinas #FIBAWC #FIBAWCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/sBrZbnCs4B

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) March 17, 2026

That’s when Kacey Dela Rosa took over. After briefly going down from a hard fall late in the third, the Ateneo standout returned with authority, delivering a sequence that broke the game open. Three straight baskets — capped by a tough mid-range jumper — pushed Gilas to a 62-49 lead midway through the fourth, shifting the pressure entirely onto Colombia.

Dela Rosa continued to dictate the tempo, extending the lead to 64-51 before Sugapong calmly knocked down three consecutive free throws to widen the gap to 67-52. From there, the finish was inevitable.

Louna Ozar and Dela Rosa applied the final touches in the last 1:28, sealing a result that not only marked a historic first win but also kept Colombia winless at 0-5 in the tournament.

Sugapong delivered a standout all-around performance with 21 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals, providing the perfect complement to Dela Rosa’s late-game explosion. Bernardino added stability with eight points, while Stefanie Berberabe chipped in six as Gilas showcased a balanced effort.

More than just a single win, the result signaled something bigger — proof that Gilas Pilipinas Women can compete, adjust, and finish against higher-ranked opposition.

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