THE Gilas Pilipinas men’s team jumped right to the top of its group in the 3x3 event of the 2026 Asian Beach Games after winning its first two matches, including an upset of host China at the start of the tournament at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium.
The quartet of Nic Cabanero, Jeff Manday, Gelo Crisostomo, and Aldous Torculas outscored their Chinese counterparts, 5-2, to break free from a tight contest and pull off a rousing 21-18 win in its first game.
Cabanero led the Philippines with nine points, Manday had five, and Crisostomo and Torculas had four and three, respectiely, in the Group A win.
Later in the day, the Filipinos made it two in a row by defeating Macau, 21-18, for a 2-0 record and the solo top spot.
Gilas 3x3 Men will next play Iran on Monday, eyeing quarterfinals berth.
Both Iran and China are tied for second at 1-1 in the same group.
The Iranians bombed Macau, 21-9, while the Chinese bounced back from its upset loss by later upending Iran, 14-13.
Macau is at the bottom of the group with a 0-2 slate.
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