HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas vs Chinese Taipei at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

By: 10 months ago

What’s next for Gilas after its Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers first window

Gilas Pilipinas

Gilas Pilipinas waves to the crowd after the Filipinos’ win over Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—New-look Gilas Pilipinas had a successful run in the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers, but there’s going to be a long wait before the national team plunges back into action again.

The national team call-ups will go back to their respective teams in the PBA and overseas leagues before they congregate again to prepare before July as Gilas vies for an Olympics spot through the the 2024 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Tim Cone: Gilas preparations reset after blowing 43-point lead

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee during a game against Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Up by 43 with about seven minutes left in the ball game, naturalized ace Justin Brownlee checked in for Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday night against Chinese Taipei.

The rest of the starters—Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana and Scottie Thompson—followed shortly even with the game already beyond doubt.

Tim Cone praises Gilas’ effort in whipping of Chinese Taipei

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a game agianst Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas showcased its masterful defense against Chinese Taipei in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers at Philsports Arena on Sunday.

Coach Tim Cone attributed the blowout win to Gilas’ tremendous effort on both ends of the floor which earned them a sweep in the first window.

Justin Brownlee hardly misses beat in Gilas return

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee during a game against Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s been 10 long months since Justin Brownlee played a game in the country.

And it sure didn’t feel like Brownlee missed a beat back in his “home soil.”

Brownlee led the cavalry for Gilas Pilipinas as they put on a masterclass in a 106-53 whipping of Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers at Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday.

Gilas shows up a much better lot to sweep first window of Asia Cup Qualifiers

Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas anew in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

What Gilas Pilipinas expected to be a tougher contest turned out to be one where it showed utter domination after the Nationals dismantled Chinese Taipei, 106-53, in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday night.

The Filipinos played without letup at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City with Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto starring once again before a loud home crowd that had Gilas, counting a 30-point win over Hong Kong, sweeping the tournament’s first window.

Highlights: Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei

Gilas flaunts youth movement in win over Chinese Taipei

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramors in the Filipinos’ game against Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—If Sunday was any indication, Gilas Pilipinas’ youth is something to be excited about heading forward.

The national team demolished Chinese Taipei, 106-53, at Philsports Arena in Pasig and one of the most notable themes in the win is the emergence of the young guns on the international stage.

Highlights: Justin Brownlee’s all-around brilliance set tempo for Gilas Pilipinas

Jamie Malonzo sits out Gilas game vs Chinese Taipei

FILE–Gilas Pilipinas’ Jamie Malonzo. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Jamie Malonzo sat out Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Chinese Taipei after being under the weather, according to coach Tim Cone.

After Gilas’ 106-53 win in the 2023 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers at Philsports Arena on Sunday, Cone said Malonzo missed the game due to a medical issue.

“He’s sick. It’s a medical thing so I don’t want to talk too much about it,” said the Ginebra coach.

Gilas takes first step toward ‘big goal’ with strong start in Fiba qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas waves to the crowd after the Filipinos’ win over Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto has all the right in the world to be happy with the way Gilas Pilipinas performed in the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

Yet, instead of being overjoyed after their 106-53 domination of Chinese Taipei at Philsports Arena on Sunday, Sotto looked at the bigger picture and said the win was just the right first step toward the bigger goal.

Video: Gilas coach Tim on why Jamie Malonzo didn’t see action vs Chinese Taipei

Justin Brownlee with another big performance for Gilas

Gilas demolishes Chinese Taipei to go 2-0 in Fiba Asia qualifiers

Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas anew in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas played with relentless pace all of Sunday night, picking apart visiting Chinese Taipei for a 106-53 victory in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Justin Brownlee annexed a second brilliant performance, this time tallying 26 points and 13 rebounds at a PhilSports Arena in Pasig City that was filled to the rafters.

Live updates: Gilas vs Chinese Taipei

Gilas starting 5 vs Chinese Taipei: Thompson, Sotto, Oftana, Ramos, Brownlee

Gilas Pilipinas introduced ahead of Fiba Asia Cup qualifying game at home

Pop-up exhibit showing history of PH Basketball at Philsports Arena

Long lines at Philsports Arena with 1 hour left before Gilas tip off

Glas Pilipinas takes the court for warm ups

Fans line up early for Gilas vs Chinese Taipei match at Philsports Arena

Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers schedule February 25

Philsports Arena, Pasig City

7:30pm–Philippines-Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei

Kai Sotto talks about Chinese Taipei challenge ahead of their Fiba Asia Cup match

After cruising past Hong Kong, Gilas readies for tougher foe in 2-0 bid

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

Make no mistake about it, Gilas Pilipinas will be taking the floor this Sunday night a confident bunch when it battles Chinese Taipei for its second game in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.

But the team’s conviction will be different, thanks to a rough first quarter in the eventual blowout of Hong Kong four nights ago that had national coach Tim Cone yearning for improvement.

“Taiwan will be stronger,” cornerstone June Mar Fajardo told the Inquirer, noting Cone’s repeated reminders throughout the team’s buildup for the continental showcase being used to prime for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Tim Cone knows Gilas can’t play same way vs Chinese Taipei

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

Sure, Gilas Pilipinas overcame a sluggish start on Thursday night and ran away with a key win to kickstart its grand plan of returning to the Fiba World Cup in four years.

But the first half of that 94-64 rout of Hong Kong, fashioned out before a crowd made up mostly of overseas Filipino workers at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, had national coach Tim Cone longing for more.

And rightly so.

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