5 days ago
Gilas Pilipinas' road to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, recapped
Gilas Pilipinas is set to open its campaign in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as it takes on Chinese Taipei on Wednesday at 2 a.m. (Philippine time).
Before that, here's a recap of the Philippines' road to the FIBA Asia Cup.
FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei, February 25, 2024. Photo:
FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (Window 1)
The road to the FIBA Asia Cup started in February 2024 during the first window of the qualifiers.
February 22, 2024: Gilas Pilipinas def. Hong Kong, 94-64.
Gilas pulled away in the third period as they outscored Hong Kong, 30-9, to have a 71-46 lead at the end of the said frame. The Philippines led by as much as 31 points, 92-61, after a Kevin Quiambao layup at the 1:19 mark of the fourth quarter before eventually sealing the team's first win under head coach Tim Cone.
February 25, 2024: Gilas Pilipinas def. Chinese Taipei, 106-53.
Gilas Pilipinas dominated Chinese Taipei in front of the home crowd at the Philsports Arena to sweep the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Justin Brownlee had 26 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal to lead the Philippines.
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Gilas Pilipinas vs Latvia, July 4, 2024. Photo:
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
While not officially part of the road to FIBA Asia Cup, the Olympic Qualifying Tournament also became a platform for Gilas to test itself against some of the world's best.
July 4, 2024: Gilas Pilipinas def. Latvia, 89-80
The Philippines shocked the world when it pulled off an world no. 6 Latvia, 89-80, to inch closer to a possible spot for the Olympics. Kai Sotto and Justin Brownlee became the Philippines' one-two punch as Gilas defeated a European opponent for the first time in more than six decades.
July 4, 2024: Georgia def. Gilas Pilipinas, 96-94
Gilas inched closer, 94-93, with 33 seconds left in the final frame, but free throws by Goga Bitadze put Georgia in front at 96, and eventually sealed the deal despite Chris Newsome's split. Still, Gilas advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.
July 6, 2024: Brazil def. Gilas Pilipinas, 71-60
The hopes for an Olympic spot faded for the Philippines as Gilas absorbed a beating from Brazil, with Kai Sotto out due to an injury.
2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand, November 21, 2024. Photo:
FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (Window 2)
November 21, 2024: Gilas Pilipinas def. New Zealand, 93-89
This was the Philippines' first win against the Tall Blacks in a FIBA tournament. Brownlee had 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks to lead the nationals.
November 24, 2024: Gilas Pilipinas def. Hong Kong, 93-54
The young but experienced tandem of Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo linked up as Gilas Pilipinas dismantled Hong Kong, 93-54, to go 4-0 in the qualifiers. The win, together with New Zealand's 81-64 against Chinese Taipei, sealed the Philippines' spot in the Asia Cup.
FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei, February 20, 2025. Photo:
FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (Window 3)
February 20, 2025: Chinese Taipei def. Gilas Pilipinas, 91-84
Gilas Pilipinas absorbed its first loss against Chinese Taipei since 2013 last February with sharp shooter Chun Hsiang Lu knocking down a dagger trey in the final 49 seconds of the game.
February 23, 2025: New Zealand def. Gilas Pilipinas, 87-70.
The Tall Blacks exacted revenge against Gilas Pilipinas after waxing hot from downtown en route to an 87-70 win.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
