Gilas Pilipinas acquired off to a tough begin on the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, falling quick in its comeback quest towards Chinese language Taipei, 95-87, of their early Wednesday matchup at King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Filipinos struggled to search out their rhythm early however mounted a spirited second-quarter rally behind Justin Brownlee, with Scottie Thompson and Kevin Quiambao coming alive within the second half to gasoline a determined comeback.
Gilas, nonetheless, failed to finish the come-from-behind try, dropping to 0-1 in Group D play. Chinese language Taipei, which shocked the Filipinos in the third window of the Asia Cup qualifiers final February, picked up proper the place it left off to open its marketing campaign with a powerful 1-0 begin.
“Clearly, we did not play an excellent one. [I’m] disenchanted in the way in which we performed. We acquired behind early within the sport and simply performed on our heels the entire sport,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone stated.
“It was like we’re in panic mode for 40 minutes.”
Brownlee led the offense with 19 factors laced with seven rebounds and two assists, however the naturalized ahead was fouled out with 4:03 left within the fourth interval which dealt an enormous blow to Gilas.
Earlier than exiting the sport, the resident import was the lone brilliant spot for the Philippines within the first quarter, capping the stated body with a deep three that trimmed Gilas’ deficit to 13, 16-27. He then connived with Thompson as they closed out the second body observing a nine-point deficit after trailing by as a lot as 17, 43-34.
Chinese language Taipei huge man Brandon Gilbeck punished Gilas early within the third, finishing two consecutive three-point performs earlier than the red-hot Ying-Chun Chen fired one other triple to ship Chinese language Taipei to a 56-41 cushion.
Quiambao and Dwight Ramos gave Gilas some indicators of hope with the previous changing a basket off the latter’s cross, 49-59, earlier than Thompson delivered a three-point play of his personal to assist Gilas lower the hole to 11 forward of the fourth, 62-73.
Quiambao then took cost for Gilas within the fourth quarter as Brownlee grappled with foul hassle.
The previous UAAP MVP fired a nook triple then sank a layup to open the payoff interval with a 5-0 private run. He then knocked down a step again three-pointer to slice the deficit to only six within the last 4:43, 74-80.
Gilas, nonetheless, simply merely had no reply to Chen, whose triple and a pair of free throws despatched Chinese language Taipei to an 85-74 lead. Gilbeck supplied the ending kick with back-to-back baskets earlier than sealing it with a slam.
Quiambao had a good 17-point and four-rebound outing regardless of taking part in for simply 16 minutes and 35 seconds whereas Ramos and Thompson every completed with 16 markers with the latter grabbing seven boards, 5 assists, and a steal.
June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Oftana, each of whom sat out their tune-up sport towards the Macau Black Bears, had been restricted to 2 and 6 factors, respectively.
Chen torched Gilas Pilipinas with a game-high 34 factors whereas Gilbeck flirted with a double-double of 16 markers and 9 rebounds as Chinese language Taipei repeated over Gilas.
Gilas is now going through a taller order because the Filipinos go up towards New Zealand on Thursday night time in bid to barge into the win column of the regional event.
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Chinese language Taipei 95 – Y. Chen 34, Gilbeck 16, R. Hinton 14, Lin 14, Gadiaga 5, A. Hinton 4, Tseng 4, Ma 3, Hu 1, Liu 0, Gao 0, Okay. Chen 0.
Philippines 87 – Brownlee 19, Quiambao 17, Thompson 16, Ramos 16, Edu 8, Oftana 6, Newsome 3, Tamayo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0, Malonzo 0.
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information