“We accomplished our goal”: Gilas Men 3×3 tops pool, reaches quarters 

A loss to end the group stage rarely feels like a step forward—but for the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Men, it marked the completion of a mission.

Despite absorbing a 14-21 defeat at the hands of Iran in the 6th Asian Beach Games at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium, the Nationals still walked away from Pool A exactly where they wanted to be—on top.

It wasn’t about the final game alone. It was about the body of work.

Locked in a three-way tie with Iran and China at 2-1, Gilas leaned on consistency across all games to secure the No. 1 spot via total accumulated points. In a format where every basket counts, their earlier performances proved just as valuable as any win.

Head coach Patrick Fran emphasized that perspective, choosing to focus on what the team achieved rather than how the group stage ended.

“We accomplished our goal top our pool. Just to be honest, the boys deserved to be here. They worked hard and this is a blessing for us because of the hard work we put in the first day,” Fran said.

“I think this is a big preparation for us going into the quarterfinal tomorrow.” 

The loss to Iran served as a reminder of the physical and tactical challenges waiting ahead.

Gilas found itself trailing for most of the contest, struggling to match the size and interior presence of their opponents. A late push sparked by Nic Cabañero—who sliced the deficit to five, 14-19, with under two minutes left—briefly gave the Filipinos a window.

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SHOCK WAVE

Gilas Pilipinas delivers an early statement at the 2026 Asian Beach Games, upsetting China, 21-18, in their men’s 3×3 basketball pool opener. | AJ Bolando/POC Media#AsianBeachGames #2026ABG #Sanya2026 pic.twitter.com/OLEPXO2tKl

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) April 25, 2026

But Iran’s control never wavered, shutting the door on any comeback attempt.

Still, the game offered valuable lessons, especially against a team built on strength and inside scoring—traits that often define success in the half-court-heavy 3×3 format. 

Jeff Manday paced Gilas with eight points, continuing his role as the team’s steady offensive anchor, while Cabañero added six, showcasing his ability to create off the dribble even against taller defenders.

Their production, combined with the team’s collective effort across all three games, ultimately secured their passage to the knockout stage.

With the group stage behind them, the focus now shifts to survival basketball.

The quarterfinals present a clean slate, where previous records no longer matter and every possession carries heavier weight. For Gilas, the loss to Iran may even serve as an advantage—a timely wake-up call before the stakes rise further.

Their opponent in the Last Eight will be determined Tuesday, but one thing is already clear: this team is no longer just chasing wins.

They are learning how to advance—and that might matter even more.

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