LYON-VILLEURBANNE (France) - They may not be heading to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, but Philippines signed off their participation in Lyon-Villeurbanne with a historic new chapter and confirmation of a new team leader.
Taking their first ever win at the global level with a 74-59 milestone win against Colombia, it was fuelled by another standout display from Kacey Dela Rosa.
She has emerged as the new go-to baller for her country, picking up the responsibility from Jack Animam and headlined the famous win with a monumental effort.
Dela Rosa put her opponents to the sword with a huge double-double of 25 points and 19 rebounds, her work on the boards the second best ever in the competition by any player.
Meanwhile her spectacular 5 blocks against Colombia was also second in the all-time game-high swats chart.
Not that this was a one-time thing. Across the last couple of games, including the team putting African Champions Nigeria on red alert, Dela Rosa has averaged an eye-popping 25.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks.
So, while Berlin might have been a step too far, that doesn't mean they have not propelled themselves forward on the global stage. Philippines showed they got game and with Dela Rosa leading the way, they will be back on the global stage sooner rather than later.
Most individual blocks in a single game in Qualifying Tournaments*
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent & Score | Date | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ji Su Park | Korea | vs Brazil 76-74 | February 12, 2022 | 11 |
2 | Kacey Dela Rosa | Philippines | vs Colombia 74-59 | March 17, 2026 | 5 |
3 | Maria Gakdeng | South Sudan | vs B5-52vs Mali 74-97 | March 12, 2026 | 4 |
- | Ji Su Park | Korea | vs Nigeria 77-60 | March 12, 2026 | 4 |
- | Dragana Stankovic | Serbia | vs Korea 65-62 | February 10, 2022 | 4 |
- | Marianna Tolo | Australia | vs Brazil 65-62 | February 10, 2022 | 4 |
*First introduction of the WWCQT in 2022
Most rebounds in a single game in Qualifying Tournaments*
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent & Score | Date | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jonquel Jones | Bosnia and Herzegovina | vs Japan 87-82 | February 13, 2022 | 23 |
2 | Kacey Dela Rosa | Philippines | vs Colombia 74-59 | March 17, 2026 | 19 |
3 | Virag Takacs-Kiss | Hungary | vs Argentina 92-81 | March 15, 2026 | 18 |
4 | Kamilla Cardoso | Brazil | vs South Sudan 94-79 | March 12, 2026 | 17 |
- | Raisa Musina | Russia | vs Puerto Rico 102-68 | February 14, 2022 | 17 |
*First introduction of the WWCQT in 2022
FIBA