Gilas Pilipinas suffered back-to-back defeats in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, falling to Chinese Taipei 91-84 and New Zealand 87-70 on February 23, 2025. These losses left the Philippines with a 2-2 record in Group B, finishing the qualifiers with two wins and two losses, but they managed to end their qualification campaign on a high note with a dominant 94-64 victory over Hong Kong on February 26, 2025.
What’s Next for Gilas Pilipinas?
Despite the setbacks, Gilas Pilipinas has secured its place in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, finishing the qualifiers on a strong note with their win over Hong Kong. With their 2-2 record, Gilas Pilipinas now awaits the official tournament draw to determine their matchups in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Coach Tim Cone emphasized the need for adjustments and better execution moving forward.
“We need to learn from these losses and come back stronger. Every game from this point is crucial,” Cone said post-game.
Gilas has officially qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 and will now shift its focus to preparing for the tournament. Gilas fans now look forward to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, where the team will aim for a strong showing against Asia’s best squads. The road ahead is tough, but with the right adjustments, the Philippines remains in contention.
Gilas Falls to Chinese Taipei in Tough Battle
Before facing New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas suffered a 91-84 loss to Chinese Taipei on February 22, 2025, a stark contrast to their dominant 106-53 win in their previous matchup. Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga led Chinese Taipei with 21 points, fueling their revenge victory.
Justin Brownlee put up 39 points, but turnovers and defensive lapses hurt Gilas. Despite briefly taking an 80-79 lead late in the game, Chinese Taipei closed strong, securing the win. Coach Tim Cone took responsibility, acknowledging the need for better preparation.
New Zealand Overpowers Gilas
After the loss to Chinese Taipei, Gilas Pilipinas aimed for redemption but ran into a dominant New Zealand squad. The Tall Blacks took control early, building a commanding 30-15 lead in the first quarter. Despite efforts from Gilas to close the gap, New Zealand remained in control throughout the game.
Tohi Smith-Milner led New Zealand with 25 points and nine rebounds, delivering a stellar performance that kept Gilas at bay. Chris Newsome was the top scorer for the Philippines with 13 points, while Justin Brownlee struggled against New Zealand’s physical defense, finishing with 10 points. Dwight Ramos added 12 points, but the team lacked offensive rhythm and struggled from beyond the arc.
Gilas’ defense also faltered, allowing New Zealand to shoot efficiently while failing to secure key rebounds. Despite some moments of promise, the Philippines couldn’t generate enough momentum to mount a comeback.
Gilas Pilipinas Dominates Hong Kong
Gilas Pilipinas ended their qualification campaign on a high note with a commanding 94-64 win over Hong Kong on February 26, 2025. The team controlled the game from start to finish, bouncing back after consecutive losses.
Chris Newsome led the charge with 17 points, while Dwight Ramos and June Mar Fajardo provided steady contributions. Gilas’ defense held Hong Kong in check, forcing turnovers and limiting their scoring opportunities.
