Philippines Sweep the SEABA Qualifiers as Indonesia Claim a Division B Ticket

The Gilas Pilipinas Girls turned their home tournament into a statement of intent, sweeping the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026 SEABA Qualifiers with four lopsided wins but the bigger prize for the hosts was the dress rehearsal it provided for a much larger stage.
Playing at the STI West Negros University Gym, the Philippines went a perfect 4-0, winning by an average of more than 36 points. They opened with a 93-42 demolition of Vietnam, rolled past Singapore 83-53 and Thailand 86-48, and closed out the title with an 88-62 victory over Indonesia. Rhiane Meshelle Perez, the reigning UAAP juniors MVP from UST, was named tournament MVP, capping her week with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists in the final, where Sophia Dignadice (170-G-2008) chipped in 14, Tiffany Reyes 12 and Zuzzane Singson 11. The runaway run also handed newly appointed coach Sandy Arespacochaga a flawless debut in the women's youth program.
For the Philippines, the sweep was preparation rather than qualification. As the team that topped Division B at the 2024 edition in China to earn promotion, they are already booked into the elite Division A in Seremban, Malaysia, from October 4-10, where they will line up against Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. The SEABA event simply offered competitive reps before that challenge.
The genuine qualifying drama, then, was about who would follow them up the regional ladder. Indonesia were the team to do it, finishing second at 3-1 with their only loss coming against the hosts. The Timnas Putri relegated from Division A two years ago after a one-point overtime defeat to Malaysia in China now head to the Division B tournament in Bangkok from July 13-19, where they will get another shot at promotion alongside host Thailand, India (from SABA) and Kazakhstan (from CABA). Thailand, already qualified for Bangkok as hosts, also used the SEABA week as a warm-up and finished last of the five.