Gilas repays OFW support in Hong Kong with Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers 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.

“I super appreciate it that they go out here to support us, me and the whole team. [It’s a] good thing we got to git the win for them, for OFWs that work here,” said Quiambao after their 94-64 win on Thursday night.

“[I’m] so glad to see them here, looking forward to more and I’m just glad we got the win.”

SCHEDULE: Gilas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers window 1

Despite just playing 17 minutes for Gilas, Quiambao made sure to give the OFWs in attendance their money’s worth by putting on a showcase in the squad’s first test in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.

The UAAP Season 86 MVP tallied 15 points on an efficient 58.3 percent field goal shooting clip with three rebounds, two assists and a steal to match.

Coach Tim Cone is also appreciative of the overseas Filipino fans who always come out to watch Gilas Pilipinas play anywhere in the world.

Filipino fans in the stands to support Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

“We always have a crowd. I think that’s a big advantage that we have over other teams. No matter where we play, there’s a crowd behind us cheering. We know they spend their hard-earned money to watch the game and so we truly appreciate them,” said the veteran mentor.

READ: Carl Tamayo ecstatic to team up with Kevin Quiambao at Gilas

“They were the reasons why we came out in the second half and made nice plays. They cheered hard, lifted our spirits and we got some momentum,” added Cone.

The Filipinos held a slim 41-37 advantage in the intermission but they came out firing in the second half right away to the delight of the predominantly Filipino crowd.

Filipino fans here in Hong Kong showering their National Five love after their win against Hong Kong. | @sonrdINQ pic.twitter.com/wnYftHMLcz

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 22, 2024

In the third quarter, the national team scored 30 points while also limiting Hong Kong to just nine points, ultimately spelling the end for the home bets.

Cone and Gilas will play their next game on home soil in front of more fans on Sunday when they face Chinese Taipei at Philsports Arena in their second game of the first window qualifiers.