Gilas sends home team Saudi packing in OT, enters FIBA Asia Cup quarters

Gilas Pilipinas is heading to the quarterfinal round of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup after surviving tournament hosts Saudi Arabia in overtime, 95-88, in their qualification matchup early Tuesday morning (Manila time) in Jeddah. Gilas needed five more minutes but was able to pull off the huge victory over the home team. Justin Brownlee (197-F-1988, college: St.John's) powered Gilas with 29 points on 11-of-16 shots, but none was bigger than the overtime-forcing 3-pointer. He also had five assists and four rebounds in 40 minutes and 55 second of play. Quiambao Kevin (193-SF-2001) and AJ Edu (208-F/C-2000, college: Toledo) chipped in 17 markers apiece for the Philippines. The Nationals trailed by six, 71-77, with 1:33 remaining in regulation. But an 8-2 run capped by a Brownlee 3-pointer with 3.7 seconds sent the game to overtime. And in the extra five minutes, Gilas waxed hot, erupting for a 10-2 blitz led by Quiambao to push the lead to nine, 90-81. Khalid Abdel Gabar and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rakhman tried to will Saudi back in it, 84-90, but a dagger triple by Edu kept their opponents at bay, 93-84. Free throws by Chris Newsome iced the game. Gilas led by 10, 25-15, at the end of the first quarter. But a massive 14-1 run by Saudi gave the home team the lead, 29-26, which tipped the momentum on their side. The two squads then traded leads throughout the game. Gilas led by three, 67-64, with 7:12 left in regulation, but Saudi grabbed the game by the horns with a 13-4 blitz that gave them a 77-71 lead, which set the furious rally by the Nationals to force overtime. Dwight Ramos (193-G-1998, college: CPP) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds for Gilas. Abdur-Rakhman exploded for 33 points for the home team, while Alsuwailem had 26 markers and 14 boards. This is the first back-to-back wins by Gilas this tourney. The Filipinos started the tournament with a stunning loss against Chinese Taipei, followed by another defeat at the hands of New Zealand, before a victory over Iraq in the final game of the group phase. Now, the Philippines will be taking on Australia in the quarterfinals, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. The game is set on Wednesday, August 13th.
Courtesy of: philstar.com