Young guns lead Gilas in securing FIBA Asia Cup 2025 slot

Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo showed their prowess on Sunday night, November 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena when Philippines defeated Hong Kong, 93-54, to secure a ticket in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Sotto delivered another double-double performance with 12 points and 15 rebounds, to go along with two assists and two blocks, while Quiambao added eight markers, five boards and four dimes.

Tamayo scored a game-high 16 points highlighted by two triples and 50 percent shooting from the field. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished off one assist.

Gilas showed their might over the Hong Kong squad after the opening quarter by establishing a nine-point lead, 25-16.

June Mar Fajardo led the Gilas domination in the opening period and finished off with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, eight boards, one dime, one deflection, and a block.

After Fajardo set the tempo in the first quarter of play, Tamayo was on fire in the second period to add a point in their lead and finished the half at 45-35.

In the third canto, it was a total team effort by the Philippine team as they showcased their passing in skills and had a 9-0 run to erect a 27-point lead. However, Hong Kong point guard Oliver Xu made a triple on the buzzer to cut Gilas lead at 67-43.

Philippines' beloved naturalized player Justin Brownlee did not play a single minute anymore in the final period as the game was at the Gilas hands already.

Brownlee still finished the game in double-digit as he contributed 13 points with three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in only 24:27 minutes of play. 

Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson, and CJ Perez have a combined score of 25, including sharing the intangibles that can’t be seen in the stat sheets.

The crowd in the arena were chanting “We want Dwight” in the latter part of the game when it was already over. But their request was not granted as Dwight Ramos was reported to have suffered a calf injury during their New Zealand match-up.

Meanwhile, only two players scored in double digits from the visiting squad. Shiu Wah Leung had a team-high 11 points, while Xu chipped in 10.

The Philippines’ win strengthened their hold of Group B’s lead in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers with four wins and zero losses, while Hong Kong dropped their fourth loss in four games and stayed at the bottom of the standings.

Gilas Pilipinas will be back in action in February 2025 for the third window of the FIBA ACQ. They will face Chinese Taipei on the 20th and the Tall Blacks again on the 23rd.

Philippines 93 – Tamayo 16, Fajardo 14, Brownlee 13, Sotto 12, Perez 10, Newsome 9, Thompson 8, Quiambao 8, Amos 3, Oftana 0, Aguilar 0.

Hong Kong 54 – Shui 11, Xu 10, Yang 9, Tsai 8, Reid 6, Yip 4, Pok 3, Leung 3, Yeung 0, Hon 0, Ng 0, Tang 0.

Quarter Scores: 25-16; 45-35; 67-43; 93-54.