Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 swept its opening day at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, beating Mongolia and Sri Lanka in Group A on Monday. The young Filipinos now need just one win over Kazakhstan to reach the quarterfinals.

The roster blends UAAP and MPBL talent. Despite windy conditions, the newly assembled squad looked calm against a Mongolian side with a strong regional reputation.

Gilas 3×3 Beats Mongolia 19-12 in Asian Games Opener

The Philippines opened with a 19-12 win over Mongolia, an established power in Asian 3×3 basketball. Gilas shot 55 percent from the field, more than double Mongolia’s 27 percent, and won the rebounding battle, 22-18.

Nic Cabanero of the MPBL’s Biñan Tatak Gel led the attack. UST’s Koji Buenaflor was perfect from the 1-point line, making all six of his attempts.

Gilas Rallies Past Sri Lanka 21-12 to Go 2-0

Gilas struggled early against Sri Lanka, then tightened its defense and pulled away for a 21-12 win. The Filipinos needed only seven minutes and 12 seconds to reach 21 points, shooting 67 percent from the field.

Cabanero again led the way with eight points and six rebounds. La Salle forward Manuel Pablo and Buenaflor each added six points.

“We just needed to stay composed. ’Yung defense talaga nagdala sa panalo,” said the 6-foot-3 Cabanero. He added that Gilas struggled at the start, but “it’s not how you start the game, but how you finish.”

Gilas next faces Kazakhstan on Wednesday. A win would secure a quarterfinal berth for the Philippines, which is unbeaten in Group A.

The 6-foot-7 Pablo stressed the need to move on quickly. “Grateful kami that we got the 2-0 win, but this is the crucial part na, ’yung quick turnaround heading into the next game, we have to move on because it’s just the beginning,” he said.