MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas is off to a tough begin within the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup after absorbing a 95-87 upset defeat by the hands of Chinese language Taipei early Wednesday morning (Manila time) on the King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis in Saudi Arabia.
Gilas, ranked thirty fourth on the earth, trailed by double digits in opposition to the World No. 73 basketball workforce as early as the primary quarter and performed catch-up the remainder of the way in which. The Nationals couldn’t climate the 3-point taking pictures of their opponents, whereas they struggled with their very own photographs.
Ying-Chun Chen paced Chinese language Taipei with 34 factors constructed on six 3-pointers and 8-of-9 from the free throw striple .Brandon Gilbeck added 16 markers and 9 boards, whereas Ting-Chien Lin and Robert Tsang Hinton had 14 apiece.
Justin Brownlee powered the Philippines with 19 factors on 8-of-15 taking pictures, including seven rebounds and two assists. Kevin Quiambao supplied the spark with 17 markers, whereas Dwght Ramos and Scottie Thompson chipped in 16 apiece.
After trailing by as a lot as 17 factors within the first quarter, 27-10, the Philippines unleashed an 18-5 run to chop the deficit to 4, 28-32.
However an 11-4 counter run by Chinese language Taipei gave them a double-digit lead anew, 43-32, after a pair of free throws by Brandon Gilbeck.
Gilas tried to climb out of the opening, however their opponents’ taking pictures was simply too good to beat.
Led by Quiambao, Gilas sliced the deficit to 6, 74-80, with 4:49 to go within the recreation.
However Brownlee dedicated his fifth and ultimate foul with 4:29 left, forcing him out of the competition.
With the import out the remainder of the way in which, Chen continued to hit his photographs as Chinese language Taipei had reply after reply.
Quiambao hit well timed photographs down the stretch, however an enormous slam by Gilbeck slammed the door shut.
The victors made 28 of their 61 makes an attempt from the sector, together with 12 of 27 from past the arc. Additionally they made 27 of their 35 free throw makes an attempt.
Then again, Gilas made extra photographs (35-of-73, good for 47.9%,) however they related on simply eight of their 28 3-point makes an attempt.
The Philippines additionally dedicated 26 fouls and 16 turnovers, in comparison with Chinese language Taipei’s 18 fouls and 4 miscues. The previous allowed the latter to commit 18 factors off turnovers.
That is the second straight loss by the Philippines to Chinese language Taipei. The Nationals beforehand fell to the squad within the Asia Cup qualifiers in February this yr.
The Philippines will attempt to get again on monitor in opposition to World No. 22 New Zealand on Thursday, 11 p.m.