Late Gilas Boys basket disallowed as Japan escapes with Stop 4 title

Gilas Pilipinas Boys fell just short of forcing overtime after a potential game-tying basket was waved off, allowing Japan to escape with a 14-13 victory in the Stop 4 final of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Nations League Asia 2 Conference on Friday at Hextar World Empire City in Malaysia.

Down by one in the final seconds, Cabs Cabonilas secured his own rebound and banked in a shot that initially appeared to tie the game. After a video review, however, officials ruled that the attempt came after the buzzer, handing Japan the narrow win.

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the Philippines remained tied with Japan atop the overall conference standings with 320 points each with two stops remaining. The conference champion will earn a berth in the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup.

New Zealand and Belarus stayed within striking distance, sharing third place with 300 points apiece.

The title match was tightly contested from start to finish. Japan held a slim 12-10 lead with just over two minutes left before Gilas launched a late comeback.

Cabonilas sparked the rally by sinking a free throw, while Earl Medina and Jhuniel Dela Rama scored on consecutive possessions to put the Filipinos ahead, 13-12.

Japan responded immediately as Kenshin Kusumoto tied the contest with 39 seconds remaining before Takumi Ii converted the go-ahead basket that ultimately stood as the game-winner.

Medina led Gilas Pilipinas with five points, while Cabonilas and Jedric Daa chipped in three apiece. Dela Rama added two markers.

Suguru Ishiguchi paced Japan with a game-high 11 points.

Earlier in the day, the Filipinos booked their place in the final by sweeping their pool assignments. Gilas opened Stop 4 with a convincing 21-10 victory over New Zealand before defeating host Malaysia, 21-11.

Cabonilas scored the clinching basket against New Zealand with 48 seconds remaining and finished with 10 points. He then teamed up with Daa, who also scored nine points, to power another dominant win over Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the Gilas Pilipinas Girls remained fifth in the overall standings with 220 points after absorbing losses to Japan, 21-4, and host Malaysia, 22-12.

Competition resumes Saturday for Stop 5, with the Gilas Boys set to face Japan and Malaysia once again in pool play, while the Gilas Girls take on New Zealand and Malaysia.