Gilas Pilipinas go 2-0 to start the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifers after drubbing Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in the first window.
Tim Cone promised a better showing from Gilas Pilipinas after a tentative start to their FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers debut.
His charges did not disappoint as the Philippines claimed a wire-to-wire 106-53 win over the visiting Chinese Taipei to sweep the first window at the PhilSports Arena on Sunday, February 25.
Playing his first game in the country in 10 months, Justin Brownlee imposed his will early and finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal to propel the Filipinos to a 2-0 record in Group B.
Brownlee showed how much he missed playing at home, scattering 11 points in the first quarter as the Philippines opened the floodgates early en route to the 53-point blowout.
“I have not played in front of a Philippines home crowd in a while. It feels great,” said Brownlee. “Unbelievable energy they came in with. You see all the jerseys and [hear] the non-stop cheering. It just feels great.”
Unlike their 94-64 rout of Hong Kong where they led by just two possessions at halftime, the Filipinos built a double-digit lead at the end of the opening quarter and never looked back.
The home squad held a 13-11 edge before closing out the first period on a blazing 13-2 run highlighted by 4 points each from young stars Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos.
Sotto churned out 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks to backstop Brownlee as the two combined for 27 first-half points to help the Philippines mount a commanding 52-27 lead at halftime.
His offense taking a backseat in the second quarter, Brownlee took over again in the third period and erupted for 11 points in a span of 5:30 minutes, much to the delight of the mammoth crowd at the 10,000-seater venue.
“It feels great hearing the cheers and the energy they always bring. Of course, the passion is just unbelievable,” said Brownlee.
Gilas Pilipinas’ lead breached the 40-point mark when Kevin Quiambao ran off 8 unanswered points late in the third frame for an 80-38 cushion.
