Masters Pinoy captures basketball gold at the World Masters Games

The Masters Pinoy Pilipinas Basketball squad emerged victorious in the 45-up division at the World Masters Games, clinching the gold medal after a hard-fought 103-92 win over Mongolia on Monday, May 26, at the Fujen Catholic University Gymnasium in Xinzhuang, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Veteran leadership and experience powered the Filipinos to the top. 

Team captain Gilbert Malabanan led by example, putting up an impressive stat line of 25 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. His all-around performance and court command anchored the team throughout the championship game.

Sharp-shooting guard Rendell Dela Rea added firepower from the perimeter, knocking down four three-pointers on his way to 24 markers, providing a steady offensive boost and keeping the defense on their heels.

Inside the paint, Marlon Basco delivered a commanding performance with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, along with four assists, two steals, and a block. His physical presence and relentless effort on both ends of the floor were key in fending off Mongolia’s inside attacks.

Guiness Nabung also made valuable contributions in the starting rotation, finishing with four points, two rebounds, and two assists, adding balance to both ends of the court.

The steady hand of Roger Yap proved vital in the gold medal game. The veteran guard served as the team’s stabilizer, orchestrating plays and maintaining composure under pressure. Yap flirted with a triple-double, tallying nine points, seven rebounds, and a game-high 13 assists. His floor leadership was instrumental in guiding the team from a nine-point deficit to a decisive 11-point win.

Off the bench, several players stepped up in crucial moments. Paul Reguerra chipped in with 12 markers and six boards, while Romel David brought hustle and energy, contributing four points and seven rebounds to help maintain momentum when the starters rested. 

Oliver Agapito hauled down two rebounds, but his interior defense alongside Estong Ballesteros, who had two markers and a board, was crucial in clogging the lane and preventing Mongolia from penetrating the paint effectively.

The Philippines trailed 27-30 after the first quarter and were still down by one, 53-54, at halftime. The turning point came in the third quarter, where they mounted a 25-17 run to seize a 78-71 lead. Despite Mongolia’s late push in the fourth, which cut the lead to as little as six, the Filipinos remained composed, executing on both ends to seal the victory.

Before reaching the finals, Masters Pinoy endured a challenging group stage. They opened their campaign with a convincing win over another Mongolian team, 96-67, on Friday. The following day, they suffered a setback against a taller, more physical Lithuanian squad, 66-94.

Undeterred, the team bounced back on Sunday with a dominant 98-74 win over the same Mongolian team they would eventually meet in the finals, setting the stage for a redemption arc and ultimately, golden glory.

Winning coach Arlene Rodriguez also shared his joy with his fellow countrymen, proudly dedicating the team’s victory to the Philippines.

"To the Philippines, we’re bringing home the bacon (gold)," said Rodriguez in Filipino. "We hope you continue to support our athletes. This means so much to us, especially because it allows our country to be recognized by other nations through sports. In times of uncertainty and challenges back home, sports can keep our spirits alive."

"And to everyone who supported us—thank you very, very much," he added.

Architect Reynaldo Punongbayan, the team manager, also expressed pride in the team’s resilience and unity throughout the campaign.

"As the team manager, the burden to handle the team is really on me, but I am thankful that the coaches and the players were very supportive. Despite the limited budget that we had, we arrived here—and now, we’ve finally reached our goal: the gold in the 45-up division of the World Masters tournament," said Punongbayan.

With a combination of chemistry, veteran poise, and pride, the Masters Pinoy Pilipinas team showcased the strength of Filipino basketball on an international stage—bringing home not just the win, but a gold medal that reflects their hard work, resilience, and unity.