2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers: Gilas Pilipinas aces 1st test of 4-year quest with 30-point rout of Hong Kong

Gilas Pilipinas passed the first test of its four-year quest with flying colors. Banking on a big third quarter, the Nationals pulled away from host Hong Kong and claimed a 94-64 win for a rousing start in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Tsuen Wan Stadium on Thursday, February 22. Head coach Tim Cone underscored the importance of building a solid foundation in his bid to bring the national team to greater heights and his wards delivered to gain an early lead in Group B. Justin Brownlee (197-F-1988, college: St.John's), Kai Sotto (220-C-2002), and Dwight Ramos (193-G-1998, college: CPP) showed the way as the Filipinos unleashed a 30-9 blast in the third quarter to break the game wide open after holding a slim 41-37 lead at halftime. Back in action after serving a three-month suspension brought by his failed doping test in the Asian Games, Brownlee churned out all-around numbers of 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Sotto also rose to the occasion in the absence of injured big men June Mar Fajardo (210-C-1989) and AJ Edu (208-F/C-2000, college: Toledo) as he supplied a double-double of 13 points of 15 rebounds with 2 blocks in the 30-point romp. Brownlee and Sotto took charge in the first half before Ramos – who finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists – sparked the Filipinos’ third quarter breakaway. Ramos scored a floater, made a steal, dished out an assist, and sank a three-pointer in succession for a 60-45 lead and the Nationals never looked back. Back-to-back three-pointers by Jamie Malonzo and Chris Newsome (187-G-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) pushed Gilas Pilipinas’ lead to 71-46 going into the final salvo before young gun Kevin Quiambao, the reigning UAAP MVP from La Salle, helped Gilas close it out strong.
Courtesy of: rappler.com