Gilas expects tougher bout vs Chinese Taipei in last leg of qualifiers

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

MANILA, Philippines—The last time Gilas Pilipinas faced Chinese Taipei, it ended in a blowout.

In their upcoming second and final meeting in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, coach Tim Cone is expecting it to be an almost completely different ballgame.

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“We know they’re going to be a lot, lot better than what we played last time,” said the veteran tactician.

“They got a new import. They got a new coach. They got a couple of new players from the Japan League and one from the CBA so we expect a much, much stiffer fight this time around but I think we’re ready for it.”

Justin Brownlee dominated that last game against the Taiwanese with 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists on a hot 61.1 percent shooting clip.

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

Gilas also stifled Chinese Taipei on defense, leaving the losing squad with just one double-digit scorer in Cheng Liu, who finished with 13 points.

While there have been some changes for Chinese Taipei with their new names on board, the same could also be said for Gilas.

READ: Gilas coach Tim Cone hopes losing Doha run makes team better

Kai Sotto, who punished the Chinese in the paint last year with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, won’t be in the Philippines’ lineup due to an ACL injury.

Instead, Gilas will have the services of reserve player and longtime Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar for the final window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.

Cone, though, is highly confident in his squad for its upcoming rematch with the Chinese.

“This team has been really, really good about moving forward, putting the lost things behind them and just keeping on battling so we expect to come out and battle against Taiwan,” he said.

Gilas looks to repeat against Chinese Taipei on Thursday at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium at 7 pm (Manila time).