The Philippine men’s team bowed out of the contention, while the Team Perlas Pinas made it to the main draw in the women’s side.
This after the Team Gilas bounced back from two straight losses by getting past Iran, 21-19, and Samoa, 22-15, in the ongoing FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2019 in Changsha, China.
With 3×3 sensation Ricci Rivero out on an ankle injury, RJ Abarrientos took over scoring and had 18 points against Iran.
Then, Abarrientos made 14 points in beating Samoa.
But the Philippines missed a ticket to Pool A, which went to Qatar, which swept its four-game assignment in the qualifying bracket.
On the other hand, the Philippine women’s side started their journey with a resounding 21-1 blasting of Samoa in the qualifying draw A bracket.
Afril Bernardino showed the way with eight points for the Philippines.
Notching a second straight win, this time against Taipei, 16-13, put the Filipinas in contention for the next stage.
This time, Jack Danielle Animam led with five points.
In one of the highlight games of the tournament, Samoa avenged its early loss with a historic first-ever Asia Cup win against Vanuatu, 18-15.
In the other pool matches, India and Thailand are tied in 1st place and their match-up tomorrow will decide who advances to the main draw.