Jordan Clarkson, Chot Reyes react to Gilas’ stunning win over China

Gilas vs China Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas celebrates semifinal win over China in the 19th Asian Games. –POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes and Jordan Clarkson were among those who celebrated the Philippines’ first Asian Games final appearance since 1990 after Justin Brownlee anchored their amazing come-from-behind 77-76 win over defending champion and host China.

Reyes, who parted ways with the men’s national basketball program after their home campaign in the Fiba World Cup 2023 last month, took to Instagram to show his support to Brownlee, Gilas coach Tim Cone, and the whole team after advancing to the gold medal match of the 19th Asiad in Hangzhou.

“YES, YES, YES!!! GILAS wins ~!!! Congrats Coach Tim and the guys. Grabe ka, [Justin Brownlee]. On to the Finals!!!” Reyes posted.

Former Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes watching the Philippines vs China game. –CHOT REYES INSTAGRAM

“‘Purely heart. Purely Filipino Heart. Puso’ Special words from a special player. A month ago he could barely walk, but what [Brownlee] & the whole Gilas Team led by Coach Tim is showing is what happens when you don’t give up,” Reyes said in a separate post. “Down 18 at the half, 5 with less than a minute, doesn’t matter — just don’t give up. Call it Puso or Never Say Die, One Big Fight, Animo, or whatever – just keep fighting.”

NBA star Clarkson, who fired 34 points to finish Gilas’ World Cup stint with a 96-75 win over China, has one word to describe his team’s big win: Puso (heart)!

Gilas player Chris Ross was also left in awe of Brownlee’s fourth-quarter explosion, describing his teammate’s stepback trey as “filthy.”

Current national team stars Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena shared the impressive win of Gilas and Brownlee’s amazing game on their Instagram stories. Former Gilas players Gabe Norwood and Ranidel De Ocampo also congratulated the Asian Games squad ahead of its gold medal match against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan on Friday.

BROWNLEE ‘BEST EVER’

Barangay Ginebra’s Jared Dillinger said his teammate’s performance “ will go down in the history books.”

What a game last night against China. JB once again shows everyone why he is the best to ever do it out here from the Philippines. He’ll go down as the greatest of all time in our country,” Dillinger said in a tweet. “That man is so cold 🥶”

Browlee carried the Philippine team from 20 points down and then showed tremendous resilience down the stretch, hitting back-to-back clutch triples in the final 23 seconds to bail Gilas out. He finished with 33 points.

The Collegiate Press Corps, which covered the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball quadruple-header capped by Ateneo’s 77-72 win over La Salle, also celebrated Gilas’ historic victory late Wednesday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

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