After hurdling the first steps up the ladder in the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup in Singapore, the Gilas Pilipinas Women are looking to scale greater heights in the next round.

The Gilas Pilipinas Women swept the three-match qualifying round early this week, trouncing Tahiti 21-3, Maldives 19-12, and Kazakhstan 21-12, to advance to the main draw.

Up next for the Nationals are Mongolia and Malaysia in Pool C, with the preliminary round leader moving to the knockout quarterfinals.

Bracketed in Pool A in the prelims are China, host Singapore   and Chinese-Taipei, in Pool B are Japan, Thailand and Iran, and in Pool D are New Zealand, defending champion Australia and India.

Jhazmin Joson led the way for the Philippines against Tahiti with 10 points, draining four long range 2-pointers. Mikka Cacho added 7 points, Kaye Pingol 3 and Camille Clarin 1 point.

Against Maldives, the Philippines forced the issue inside with 16 points, all within the arc. Cacho and Pingol combined for 16 points, Clarin had 2 and Joson 1 point.

Clarin took over in the all-important game against Kazakhstan, scoring 9 points, along with the game-sealing 2-pointer, while Cacho, Pingol and Joson each had 4 points. The Filipinas got a boost from the free throw line with 6 points converted.

The National University star keyed Gilas’ breakaway 16-7 by scoring 5 points, including four foul shots.

Cacho and Pingol hiked the lead to eight, 18-10. Clarin then put Gilas on the brink of triumph, scoring from the post to make it 19-12 lead before hitting her two-pointer for the game-clincher.

“We’re excited to advance to the main draw after winning all our qualifying games,” said Eric Altamirano, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ 3X3 Program head . “Our girls showed strong defense throughout.”

Altamirano keenly awaits Gilas’ preliminary round assignments.

“In the next round, we’ll face Mongolia, who competed in the last Tokyo Olympics, and Malaysia, whom we recently played in Manila. Looking forward to the challenge ahead!” he said.