SILENCING early skeptics, a youth-laden Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3x3 squad made an immediate and resounding impact at the 6th Asian Beach Games by taking down host nation China in a thrilling 21-18 victory in Sanya.
The decision to send a predominantly Under-23 roster to Sanya initially drew flak from some observers. However, head coach Patrick Fran revealed that the move is a calculated, long-term investment in the national program.
“I think this pivot makes the direction of our 3x3 program crystal clear: we are here to develop young talent while maintaining our winning standard,” Fran stated. “We are carving out our own pathway to ensure we remain competitive and tough in the years to come.”
“That said, the 3x3 game at this stage is a totally different beast. We are building this from the ground up with surgical precision and moving full throttle. But we have to be realistic and patient. Let’s temper our expectations for this young squad as they go up against seasoned veterans. We are embracing the underdog role today, because this is only step one,” he added.
Coach Fran emphasized that exposing this young core to high-level continental competition is a crucial step in future-proofing Philippine 3x3 basketball.
The upcoming Asian Games in Japan will implement a strict Under-23 age limit for 3x3 basketball.
By battling seasoned, physical teams in Sanya, these young players are acquiring the exact tournament mileage needed to contend for medals in the upcoming Japan games.
This opening statement win proves that the bold gamble is already paying dividends, validating the coaching staff’s vision and setting an aggressive tone for the rest of their campaign.
The team is comprised of newcomers yet equally competitive players in Sean Aldous Torculas, Jeffrey Manday, Nicael Cabañero and Mark Crisostomo.
