Photo Courtesy: FIBA
Juan Karlo Libunao (JKL)
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.
The Scores:
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.
News
Jamie Malonzo is heading back to Japan after signing with Earthfriends Tokyo Z for the 2026-27 season, the team announced in an Instagram post.
"Earth Friends Tokyo Z would like to inform you that we have reached a basic agreement with Jamie Malonzo for the 2026-2027 season," the club wrote.
Malonzo left Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in 2025 to pursue a professional basketball career abroad and signed with Kyoto Hannaryz last season. However, he was later waived by the team.
He played only five games in the organization before being released, averaging 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game during his stint.
Dwight Ramos has agreed to a basic contract with the Levanga Hokkaido for the 2026-2027 season, the team announced on Instagram.
He averaged 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during the previous season.
Ramos has been with the organization since 2022 after his rookie year contract with the Toyama Grouses expired.
Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson has re-signed with the defending champion New York Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million contract.
Clarkson averaged 10.8 minutes per game during the Knicks' championship run. His role as a scoring spark off the bench helped ease the workload of the team's starters and provided valuable depth throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season.
His impact and influence played a crucial part in helping New York contend for and ultimately win the championship during the previous season.
The Knicks captured the 2026 NBA title against the San Antonio Spurs, ending a championship drought that lasted nearly half a century.
He also posted on his Instagram account following his extension with the Knicks.
"still in this dream, NY! run it back! love ," he wrote.
John Amores is returning to professional basketball after signing a one-conference contract with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Titan welcomed him through a Facebook post, announcing his comeback representing the team.
"A NEW CHAPTER STARTS NOW. Welcome back to the PBA, John Amores. Welcome to the Titan Ultra Giant Risers family. Let’s get to work," they wrote.
Before his professional basketball license was revoked, Amores averaged 5.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game for the NorthPort Batang Pier during the 2024-2025 PBA season.
John and his brother were involved in a shooting incident in Laguna in September 2024, which led the suspension from the PBA, along with revoking his license by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Earlier this week, he posted a video of himself at GAB, where he officially retrieved his license, and is now cleared to resume playing in professional leagues.
Ahead of his PBA comeback, Titan is set to face Terrafirma this Friday.
Alas Pilipinas Women's team shared photos on its Instagram account during training for the upcoming SEA V.League and the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.
Taka Minowa, a former head coach in the Premier Volleyball League with the Akari Chargers, will take over as the new head coach of the nat'l team after being recruited by the POC for his service.
The roster is composed of setters with captain Jia De Guzman, Marionne Angelique Alba, Maria Angelica Cayuna; liberos Justine Ylizeth Jazareno, Jennifer Nierva, Dawn Nicole Catindig, Shaira Jardio.
They will also be joined by outside hitters Mhicaela Belen, Vanessa Gandler, Ejiya Laure, Alleiah Jan Malaluan, Angel Anne Canino, Shaina Marie Nitura; as well as middle blockers Janette Panaga, Dell Palomata, Thea Gagate, Mereophe Sharma, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang.
Completing the line-up are opposite hitters Alyssa Solomon, Erika Santos, and Arah Panique.
Alas secured bronze in the 2025 SEA V.League after sweeping Indonesia 25-17, 25-17, 28-26. The team also qualified for the Asian Games due to its current FIVB rankings among asian teams, standing at No. 10.
SEA V.League will take place in Vietnam on July 31 to August 2, while the Asian Games will be held in Japan beginning September 19.
