Kacey dela Rosa powered Gilas Pilipinas Women to a 21-10 win over host Singapore in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup qualifiers on April 12, earning their first berth in eight years. The victory completes the 20-team field for the tournament in Warsaw, Poland, in June. Afril Bernardino returns to the event after playing in 2018.
At OCBC Square in Singapore, Kacey dela Rosa scored 11 points to outpace Singapore's entire team, sparking a 10-4 early lead that Gilas Women never lost. Afril Bernardino sealed the victory with two free throws for 6 points, while Mikka Cacho added 4 points. The game ended with under 40 seconds remaining.
“I don’t feel old because of them,” said Bernardino, the squad's oldest at 30. “Proud that we got the slot in the FIBA World Cup this year.” She returns after representing the Philippines in 2018 with Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, and Gemma Miranda.
Gilas Women rebounded from a 21-16 semifinal loss to Lithuania and a 21-19 pool-stage defeat to Singapore. The team comes off a historic silver medal at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup last week, according to Rappler.
