HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas vs Hong Kong at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

By: 9 months ago

Tim Cone marvels at return of Gilas’ ‘lifeblood’ Justin Brownlee

Justin Brownlee Gilas Pilipinas

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee in the Philippines’ game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –FIBA

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee showed a little bit of rust to begin Gilas Pilipinas’ 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifier campaign but coach Tim Cone showed no doubt whatsoever.

After the national team’s  94-64 trouncing of Hong Kong at Tsuen Wan Stadium on Thursday night, Cone admitted that he saw Brownlee struggle early in the game but he decided to stick with the naturalized player.

Video: Kai Sotto talks about his performance against Hong Kong

Video: Justin Brownlee on his first game back for Gilas

Gilas repays OFW support in Hong Kong with Fiba Asia Cup win

Gilas Pilipinas members wave to the crowd after their win over home team Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas knows the magnitude of being able to play in front of overseas Filipino workers.

So with Filipinos in full support of the national team against Hong Kong at Tsuen Wan Stadium, Gilas Pilipinas repaid them with a dominant 30-point victory against the home bets.

Filipino fans in Hong Kong showering Gilas love after win over Hong Kong

Tim Cone reminds Gilas to stay focused for long haul

Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

HONG KONG–There was one line that national coach Tim Cone reached for over and over throughout Gilas Pilipinas’ short visit here for the curtain-raiser of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, a mantra that will guide the program through a long and arduous journey for the next four years.

Keep that big picture in mind.

Gilas pulls away to beat Hong Kong in Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee in the Philippines’ game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –FIBA

HONG KONG — Promise delivered.

Save for a forgettable first half, the new-look Gilas Pilipinas played splendidly on both ends on Thursday to beat Hong Kong, 94-64, and take a key first for the national basketball program.

The Nationals found gaps in their game just in time to pocket a resounding Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers victory at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre here which was filled by mostly Filipinos.

Live updates: Gilas Pilipinas vs Hong Kong

Gilas starting 5: Sotto, Brownlee, Oftana, Ramos, Thompson

SBP chief Al Panlilio, executive director Erika Dy attends Gilas vs Hong Kong game

Gilas conducting a mini slam dunk contest here at Tsuen Wan Sports Center

Justin Brownlee is a Gilas crowd favorite in Hong Kong

Tim Cone gets some love from Gilas fans

Gilas fans have entered the venue

LOOK: Filipino fans gather to watch Gilas play in Hong Kong

PHOTOS: Gilas Pilipinas last practice before first Fiba Asia Cup qualifying game

Gilas holds last practice on day of Hong Kong match

Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers schedule February 22

Tsuen Wan Sports Centre

8pm–Philippines-Gilas Pilipinas vs Hong Kong

Japeth Aguilar’s presence looms large for Gilas with key bigs out

Japeth Aguilar goofs around with his Gilas Pilipinas teammates during a training session ahead of the Filipinos’ game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers. –DENISON DALUPANG

HONG KONG — Gilas Pilipinas fixture June Mar Fajardo is beyond grateful that Japeth Aguilar came in to plug his and AJ Edu’s absences for the Nationals in the opening window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

“We’re really thankful of Japeth. As you know, he’s been the longest-serving player here,” the soft-spoken big man told the Inquirer on the sidelines of the team’s practice on Thursday at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre here.

Gilas’ CJ Perez looks to put on a show for OFWs in Hong Kong

Gilas Pilipinas’ CJ Perez during a training session ahead of the Filipinos’ game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers. –DENISON DALUPANG

HONG KONG — Gilas Pilipinas’ CJ Perez believes he owes this country a show when the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers raise its curtains this Thursday.

“Playing here in Hong Kong is a great opportunity to provide entertainment for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” he told the Inquirer shortly after the practice at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre on Thursday.

“[Some of them] haven’t been back home for so long and haven’t had the chance to see Philippine basketball live, so you bet we’re excited to bring the game close [to them] and give our best to win the game,” he added.

VIDEO: Justin Brownlee during the post-practice shootaround in Hong Kong

Gilas PH eyes win over Hong Kong: ‘If we don’t, then we probably shouldn’t be here’

Gilas Pilipinas huddles at midcourt after finishing a training session at Hong Kong’s Tsuen Wan Sports Centre. —DENISON REY A. DALUPANG

HONG KONG—When the new look Gilas Pilipinas tests its mettle on Thursday, the Nationals understand how big of a first step they will be taking against a lower-ranked Hong Kong squad in the opening window of the Fiba  Asia Cup Qualifiers.

“As coach Tim (Cone) said, this is one team that we can really beat, so we need to do just that. Winning this first game will be our building blocks,” June Mar Fajardo told the Inquirer on the sidelines of a long practice at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre here.

Carl Tamayo ecstatic to team up with Kevin Quiambao at Gilas

Carl Tamayo, left, and Kevin Quiambao, former teammates in high school, team up again this time for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Carl Tamayo has a lot of things to be excited about in his return to Gilas Pilipinas for the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers one of which is his reunion with Kevin Quiambao.

Tamayo said he can’t wait to share the frontcourt with Quiambao, who was his teammate in high school.

“I’m excited because we faced each other in college and now we have a chance to play together like we did in high school and knowing Kevin, we have our chemistry as teammates where we know how each other plays,” said Tamayo in Filipino.

READ NEXT
PVL: Savannah Davison powers PLDT demolition of Galeries
MOST READ
LATEST STORIES
Read more...
NEXT STORY