MANILA — The Gilas Pilipinas women’s team concluded their journey in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, succumbing to Taiwan in the quarterfinals with a final score of 9-19 at the Singapore Sports Hub on Sunday, March 31.

Camille Clarin spearheaded Gilas with a 4-3 lead, scoring three consecutive points. However, Taiwan retaliated with a 6-1 surge, establishing a 9-5 advantage.

Taiwan maintained control for the remainder of the match, securing their victory as Shih-Han Hsu sealed the game with a crucial two-point shot from the top of the key.

Despite the loss, Clarin and Mikka Cacho contributed three points each, while Kaye Pingol added two points and Jhazmin Joson chipped in one.

This defeat halted Gilas’ five-game winning streak, which spanned the qualifying and main draws of the tournament.

The Philippines advanced to the main draw after defeating Tahiti, Maldives, and Kazakhstan, followed by victories against Mongolia and Malaysia in the knockout round.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — The top performers in Philippine sports in the year about to end will be honored by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) as it holds its traditional Awards Night on Jan. 29 at the Diamond Hotel.

Asian Games gold medal winners EJ Obiena, Meggie Ochoa, Annie Ramirez, and Gilas Pilipinas lead the long list of achievers to be recognized by the country’s oldest media organization headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of the Philippine Star.

All four and the Filipinas football team are vying for the prestigious Athlete of the Year award.

Obiena’s golden record in pole vault, the two-pronged triumph of Ochoa and Ramirez in jiu-jitsu, and Gilas’ epic march to reclaim basketball supremacy in Asia spearheaded the country’s four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronzes finish (17th overall) in the 19th edition of the Asiad in Hangzhou, China, in the Philippines’ highest placing yet in the quadrennial showcase since finishing 14th in Hiroshima, Japan 29 years ago.

The Filipinas on the other hand, made history following their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, in a campaign that became even more memorable following the team’s stunning 1-0 victory over the host country through the breakthrough goal of Sarina Bolden.

In a year like no other in Philippine sports history, the Asiad and Southeast Asian Games – along with their Para Games counterparts – were both held in a single calendar year following the adjustments in the hosting of the four major meets owing to the pandemic, guaranteeing a star-studded Awards Night two months from now.

The country’s top two sports officials in Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino are expected to grace the formal affair and lead the local sports community in honoring the best and brightest of the year 2023.

Aside from the Athlete of the Year, other awards will also be handed out by sports editors and writers from different broadsheets, tabloids, and online sites that comprised the PSA membership.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, President’s Award, National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year, Mr. Basketball, Ms. Volleyball, Ms. Football, and the Tony Siddayao Awards are among the yearly honors.

Major Awards and citations to athletes, officials, and entities who excelled in their respective sports are likewise going to be recognized.

(ai/mnm)

IN THE early hours of Sunday morning, the triumphant Gilas Pilipinas team touched down in Manila, wearing smiles of victory.

The coaching staff, led by Tim Cone, and the players were met with a heartfelt welcome from the Philippine Sports Commission and the airport personnel at NAIA Terminal 1.

Their arrival, just before 1:30 A.M., set a festive atmosphere. Excitement filled the air as people eagerly sought out selfies and group photos, particularly with Justin Brownlee, whose remarkable 33-point second-half performance orchestrated Gilas’ astonishing comeback from a 20-point deficit against host China, resulting in a thrilling 77-76 victory and securing a spot in the gold medal round.

“I’m at a loss for words at this moment. You know, the guys worked incredibly hard, and we had some tremendous wins against Iran and China. The China game was epic, and then we played exceptionally well against Jordan,” expressed Cone during an interview broadcasted by One Sports. “When we needed it most, we saved our best for last and stepped up when it counted.”

Assembled only 12 days before the actual men’s basketball competition in the 19th Asian Games, Gilas faced numerous challenges, from player eligibility issues to adapting quickly to Cone’s system. In hindsight, the American coach observed significant growth among the players in the short time they spent together.

“It was a thrill to be with these guys and witness their growth in the brief time we had. It felt like our last dance together,” added Cone, who orchestrated the Philippines’ gold medal victory at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, on Friday night.

This gold medal marked the end of the Philippines’ 61-year drought in basketball titles at the Asian Games. It was the second international tournament victory for Gilas, following their triumphant gold medal campaign at the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last May.

For Brownlee, this latest experience with Gilas ranks at the pinnacle of his basketball journey, given the historical significance of what the Filipino team achieved in China. “It’s got to be at the top, despite everything, with the history, over 60 years. It’s definitely up there. Man, that’s special. I’m just so happy,” beamed the 35-year-old Brownlee, who contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds in Gilas’ 70-60 victory over Jordan to secure the gold.
(ai/mnm)

In a remarkable display of teamwork, Gilas Pilipinas Men achieved a decisive victory by defeating the previously undefeated Jordan with a final score of 70-60 on Friday, October 6, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.

The victory secured the gold medal for Team Philippines in the 2023 Asian Games Men’s Basketball 5×5 event and snuffed out in the process a 61-year gold medal drought for the country in the quadrennial meet since 1962.

Four players from the Gilas team displayed outstanding performance, each scoring in double digits.

Justin Brownlee led the charge with a double-double, contributing 20 points (6/18 FG, 4/10 2pts, 2/8 3pts, 6/7 FT), along with an impressive 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

Ange Kouame delivered a standout performance in the tournament, achieving a double-double of 14 points (5/6 FG, 4/4 FT), leading the team with 11 rebounds, a game-high 5 steals, and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes of play.

Team captain Chris Newsome had a solid game, contributing 13 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists, while Scottie Thompson added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal to the team’s victory.

On the opposing side, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led Jordan with a game-high 24 points (8/29 FG, 5/15 2pts, 3/14 3pts, 5/11 FT), along with 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while star guard Freddy Ibrahim added 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.

In terms of shooting percentages, Gilas achieved a 33% field goal rate (22/67 FG), including 7-of-25 shooting from beyond the three-point line. Jordan, on the other hand, managed 18 out of 69 field goals and made 8 out of 36 attempts from three-point range.

From the free-throw line, Gilas displayed accuracy, going 19 out of 22, while Jordan made 16 out of 28 free throws.

Despite their impressive performance, both the Philippines and Jordan posted nearly identical statistics in several categories. Gilas recorded more assists (19-18), steals (8-7), and blocks (4-3), while Jordan committed fewer turnovers (11-12).

This monumental victory marked the Philippines’ return to the Asian Games men’s basketball finals after a 33-year absence, dating back to 1990. It also marked the end of a six-decade-long gold medal drought in men’s basketball since the 1962 Asian Games.

Looking ahead, Gilas will soon be back in action in the 24-team tournament, consisting of 6 groups of 4 teams each, in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

The Philippines is placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong.

Their initial games are scheduled for the February 2024 window, with a match against Hong Kong on February 22, followed by a game against Chinese Taipei on February 25.

The top two teams from each group will secure their spots in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.

As for the six third-place teams from each group, they will have the opportunity to participate in a final qualifying tournament.

The final scores for the game were as follows:

PHILIPPINES 70 – Brownlee 20, Kouame 14, Newsome 13, Thompson 11, Oftana 5, Aguilar 3, Perez 2, Alas 2, Fajardo 0, Tolentino DNP, Lassiter DNP, Ross DNP.

JORDAN 60 – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Ibrahim 13, Al Dwairi 8, Alhamarsheh 6, Bohannon 4, Bzai 3, Hussein 2, Alhendi 0, Kanaan 0, Qarmash DNP, Alhammouri DNP, Abbaas DNP.

Quarter Scores: 17-12, 31-31, 51-41, 70-60.

(ai/mnm)

Photo credit: Pilipinas Live | Hangzhou Asian Games

MANILA — Philippines is buzzing with excitement and pride as the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team has secured a spot in the Asian Games Finals after an astonishing 33-year wait.

Millions of Filipino basketball fans have joined together to celebrate this historic achievement, showering praise on the entire Gilas Pilipinas squad, including the coaches and team management, as the Nationals not only regained its former glory but has also emerged as a true contender on the international basketball stage.

Ramon S. Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, one of the prominent supporters of Gilas Pilipinas, extended his congratulations to the team.

Here is the full text of RSA’s press statement:

Let me join millions of Filipino basketball fans in congratulating Gilas Pilipinas—from its coaches to the players and team management —on our country’s historic return to the Asian Games Finals after 33 years.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Chairman Emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Gilas Pilipinas we cheer for today.

He conceived, nurtured, and invested in the program, and it is his unwavering support and guidance all these years that molded–and continues to drive–the team.

Gilas Pilipinas has given our country great honor, and San Miguel Corporation is proud to be supporting the team, along with many others–including private sector partners, government, the Philippine Basketball Association—whose collaborative efforts have helped make this Asian Games journey not just memorable, but also triumphant.

As Gilas Pilipinas sets its sights on the gold, let us all continue to be united, and wish them all the best.

Ramon S. Ang
SMC President and CEO

(ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU – Faced with nightmarish defeat after Iran razed a 21-point Gilas Pilipinas lead with a barrage of three-pointers, June Mar Fajardo and Justin Brownlee came to the rescue with clutch hits in the gut-wrenching closing moments on Tuesday, October 3, as the Nationals hung on by a thread 84-83 to advance to the men’s basketball semifinals of the 19th Asian Games at the Zhejiang University Gymnasium.

Like the Persian desert sun, Iran, behind Matin Aghajanpour (three triples in the 4th quarter), Mohammandsina Vehedi (4 of 8 3s overall) and Navid Razaeifar (2 of 6 3s), melted a double-digit third quarter Gilas spread and twice seized the lead, first at 81-80 and then at 83-82.

But on both occasions, Gilas rose to the challenge and reclaimed the upper hand — on a putback by Fajardo 82-81, and a tough baseline jumper by Brownlee for 84-83, with 41 seconds remaining.

Then everything came down to an open three-point shot by Aghajanpour before the Gilas bench with 17 seconds to go.

Good thing he missed.

Gilas then called time and came out with what looked like a four corner offense until the clock ran out.

Cone was a foot or two away from the Iranian shooter when he launched the three that would have broken the hearts of Gilas fans back home.

“I was literally almost right behind him so I could see the trajectory, it was going left,” Cone said. “When he released it, I knew it was a miss. It was just a matter of ‘can we get the rebound?’ We did, and they chased us around but couldn’t get a foul off us.”

Losing the 21-point lead was not exactly a shocker, said Cone.

“In the international game, things can turn on a dime, and this did in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Luckily we had a big lead. We should have never put ourselves in that position, but that’s the way these kinds of games are.”

Brownlee led Gilas with 36 points but was held to the game-winning basket in the fourth quarter by a box-and-one defense thrown by the Iranians that stifled his movement through most of the second half.

“I think we did a good job in the first three quarters. But when they threw a wrench into our plans with that box-and-one, we just kinda struggled,” said Cone. “I think the Iranian coach did a great job bringing his team back.”

Gilas now faces host China, which routed South Korea 84-70 in another quarterfinal matchup that somehow didn’t live up to expectations at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.

A place in the gold medal play awaits the winner in the Final Four encounter at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, exactly four weeks after the Philippines, on the crest of Jordan Clarkson’s 34-point explosion, crushed China in the classification phase of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The loser fell into the battle for the bronze medal, a podium finish that would allow the Philippines to duplicate its third place in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, also under Cone.

It was the last time the country won a basketball medal in the Asiad, the closest coming in 2002 where the Nationals lost to South Korea in the semifinals on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Lee San-Min and then collapsed altogether, as a consequence, against Kazakhstan in the fight for bronze.

Nobody is thinking bronze at the moment, however, least of all Cone, who is aching for payback against preliminary round tormentor Jordan, a rematch that could only materialize if both teams make it to the finals.

Gilas is one step away. Jordan was beating Saudi Arabia handily at press time and will next go up against either Japan or Chinese Taipei in the semis.

“We also played China in the semis 25 years ago,” said Cone. “But it’s a totally different ballgame now, so we’ll see.”

A full quarter and a half away from walking back into the locker room and probably admiring themselves in the mirror for a job well done after the Iranians fell behind 62-41, the Nationals turned a little careless with ball possession and paid the prize.

It was still 71-54 for Gilas after three quarters. Then came a torrent of three-pointers from Iran, with five straight points from Vehedi giving the Middle Eastern team its first taste of the lead since 4-3, setting up the heart-stopping finish.

“It feels great,” said Brownlee later. “Never say die, right? We just kept fighting.”

Fajardo, whose two free throws held Iran at bay 80-76 with 2:17 to go, had 18 points with 8 rebounds while Scottie Thompson added 11 points with 6 rebounds. (ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU — Call it the lull before the storm, Jordan’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hugging Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, Justin Brownlee, and TNT Tropang Giga teammate Calvin Oftana when they ran across each other at a training facility in the 19th Asian Games last Wednesday.

Even the TNT utility guy doubling for the national team got a warm embrace from the inherently friendly Hollis-Jefferson, whose Jordanian squad will face Gilas Pilipinas on Saturday, September 30, for an outright berth in the quarterfinals.

Game time is at 5:30 p.m. at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, with the encounter expected to be anything but cordial.

The Philippine team had just concluded a one-and-a-half-hour practice for the game against Thailand on Thursday and was on its way to the third-floor elevator when Jordan’s top player showed up smiling broadly and started throwing high fives all around.

Apparently, the Jordanians were also having team practice at an adjacent playing court in preparation for their game against Bahrain the next day, and Hollis-Jefferson seized the chance to catch up with familiar faces.

There wouldn’t be much of that pleasantry in their next meeting, though, with both teams looking to sweep Group C of the preliminaries and move on, avoiding any disastrous detours in the event of a loss.

The Philippines and Jordan arranged the all-important clash between two unbeaten teams after they each dispatched their first two opponents, Bahrain and Thailand.

Nobody from Gilas, least of all Cone, is under any illusion, however, that Jordan will be a walk in the park.

“They’re gonna be tough,” said Cone after Gilas survived Thailand and a barrage of three-point shots from Tyler Lamb and Frederick Lish, 87-72.

“What can you say? They blew this team [Thais] out by 37 points, and we only beat them by what, 15 or whatever? So if you look at it that way, we don’t have much of a chance.

“But I think [if] you walk into our locker room when you talk to every one of those guys, they think we can beat Jordan.”

Though Cone wouldn’t go to specifics, it’s almost a foregone conclusion Gilas’ defensive strategy on Saturday would cover a big percentage of Hollis-Jefferson’s offense.

“We’re gonna try to put a big performance together and go out and play Jordan,” he said.

PBA fans may well remember Hollis-Jefferson for snaring the Best Import award over Brownlee in the Governors’ Cup last April, and for his 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists performance as TNT beat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game Six, 97-93, for the championship.

Hollis-Jefferson, who had NBA stints with Portland, Toronto, and Brooklyn, iced his superb play by hitting two pressure free throws in the dying seconds that secured the victory.

He also showed great magnanimity by paying tribute to Brownlee, who valiantly battled the ill effects of severe food poisoning which landed him in the hospital after Game Five.

Brownlee had 29 points in Game Six.

Their rematch on foreign soil should provide a dramatic subplot when their national teams meet for a shot at the quarters, and an interesting preview of their forthcoming duels back home, five weeks before the new PBA season opens. (ai/mnm)

GILAS Pilipinas needed more than three full quarters to solve the riddle of Thailand and Tyler Lamb Thursday, going without a clue before finding the answer in the last six minutes for a runaway 87-72 victory in the 19th Asian Games at the Zhejiang University Zijingang Gymnasium.

Only after a 7-2 run late in the fourth, crammed in by a Justin Brownlee tip and a Japeth Aguilar putback, were the Nationals able to exhale and savor their hard-earned second win that put them on a direct collision with Jordan on Saturday, an outright spot in the quarterfinals at stake.

A loss there could complicate matters for the Philippines, with the path to the next round strewn with playoff roadblocks.

Jordan, powered by TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, routed Bahrain, 84-60, and stayed unbeaten as well in the preliminaries, setting up an all-important clash with Gilas on September 30, Saturday, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.

A 19-point late third-quarter advantage for Gilas quickly evaporated in the heat of Thailand’s torrid shooting, and only the inside strength of its frontline saved the day for the cold-shooting Nationals.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone preferred to view the victory for its essence rather than its quality.

“We’re not here for pogi points,” said Cone. “We’re not here to try and win by 50 and impress everybody. No, we’re a team that came together quickly and our expectations are to win each game by one point. That’s it. If we win a game by one point, that’s all we care about.”

He added: “And it felt like a one-point win today.”

Brownlee, who has been playing hurt from a surgically repaired foot that hasn’t fully healed, had 29 points but labored mightily the entire game to keep Gilas above water in the face of torrential three-point baskets from Thailand, specifically from Lamb and Frederick Lish, who poured 28 and 22 points respectively.

CJ Perez, a wrecking machine going to the heart of the defense, added 16 points for Gilas while June Mar Fajardo had 9, Calvin Oftana 8, and Scottie Thompson 7 points, including two free throws in the last 51.6 seconds that snuffed the life out of a last-ditch Thailand comeback 84-72.

Cone addressed Brownlee’s struggle.

“He was definitely hurting, his leg, his foot was bothering him. I’d say he was about 80 percent today, 85 percent at the most; there were times he was coming down the floor, he was limping,” said Cone.

“But he is such a trooper and he’s playing through it for only one reason: ‘cause he’s on the national team. If he’s not playing for the national team, he won’t be playing. So give him credit.”

The Nationals spent the first half trying to unravel Thailand’s game. And they did somewhat, halfway in the third quarter. But just when it appeared they had it all figured out, the Thais sprang back to life with more lights-out shooting.

The frightening sequence must have kept the Gilas fans back home trembling and on the edge of their seats after the Thais razed a 66-47 deficit after three quarters, rallying within 68-63 in the final 6:24.

The 16-2 run, fueled by 3-point bombs launched by Lish and then Lamb, would be best remembered for the scene wherein Lamb had turned to mock the Philippine bench after burying his sixth triple.

Sadly for him, it was to be his last.

Lish kept the pressure on, though, knocking down his fourth 3-pointer to keep it a three-possession match, 75-68. But the Nationals pounded the offensive boards after each missed attempt and put together a 7-2 closing spurt that took the fight out of the Philippines’ chief rival in the Southeast Asian Games.

“They came out with the idea they were gonna shoot a lot of threes, and Tyler Lamb got hot early,” said Cone. “I thought we had a good challenge on a lot of those threes but they still went in, so you gotta tip your cap. They shot the ball well today.”

And the Nationals didn’t (32 of 82), a fact Cone conceded.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well and that’s what made the game close. We had to battle, try to play inside, use our size, and they were out there trying to shoot threes. Bottom line is we won, and we’re not gonna question wins too many times.”

The two-time PBA Grand Slam champion coach paid tribute to Thailand’s Spanish coach, Eduard Torres Girbau.

“He came out and changed defenses on us, kinda confused us a bit,” said Cone. “We just have to rely on the skills of our players to make plays because we didn’t have much done in execution because we were so confused with the changing defenses.”

That Thailand was able to torch Gilas’ perimeter defense came as no surprise since the scouting report had forewarned the Nationals to look out for the Thai’s foreign-trained snipers.

What probably surprised them more was their inability to match Thailand’s firepower in the first half — from long distance or close range.

Gilas fell behind quickly 22-12 in the first quarter behind a 13-2 Thailand run anchored on Lamb’s three-point shooting, and only an 8-2 run to finish the quarter, highlighted by a Calvin Oftana triple — Gilas’ only trey — closed the gap 22-20.

The halftime was 41-35 for Gilas before it made any headway, assembling a run behind a tightened defense to forge ahead 64-47 on a Perez triple, setting up the riveting fourth quarter. (ai.mnm)

HANGZHOU — The trajectory arc gets steeper for Gilas Pilipinas as it takes on Southeast Asian Games rival Thailand on Thursday, September 28, in the men’s basketball competition of the 19th Asian Games here.

The game time is at 11 a.m. (Manila time) at the Zhejiang University Zijingang Gymnasium, with the Philippines out for a momentum-building followup to its 89-61 opening victory over Bahrain and former PBA import Wayne Chism at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium last Tuesday.

Thailand, led by ex-UCLA Bruin Tyler, will be looking to rebound, meanwhile, from a 97-63 thrashing at the hands of Jordan and TNT Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson last Tuesday.

Hollis-Jefferson, who will be rejoining TNT for the 2023-2024 PBA season once the Asian Games is over, played 30:06 minutes against the Thais, scoring 20 points on 6 of 15 from the floor with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone was talking about getting his hands on the video of the Jordan-Thailand game even before he had walked off the court after their match against Bahrain.

“We need to break down their game,” said Cone. “We saw them [Thais] in the Southeast Asian Games, but we’re not matched up against them. They were knocked out by Cambodia. So we hope we’ll have a better feel of Thailand than we did. We gotta ‘cause Thailand’s a much stronger team than Bahrain.”

The Philippines won the men’s basketball gold medal in the SEA Games, beating host Cambodia in the final.

As on the eve of the game against Bahrain, Cone presided over a film viewing of the Thailand-Jordan game with spliced clips of the Thais’ top players other than Lamb, who was 3 of 14 from the field, including 2 of 10 beyond the arc. His 2 rebounds were among the lowest for the team.

In his place, 5-foot-8 guard Frederick Lish had 13 points on 6 of 19 from the field but was abysmal from outside, going 1 of 9 in treys.

The Gilas defense is expected to zero in on Thailand’s other licensed perimeter shooters like Nattakarn Muangboon, who was 3 of 7 in triples, and Jakongmee Morgan (7 pts), Naratip Boonserm (6) and Nakom Jaisanuk, all of whom took three treys each or more against Jordan.

The steady improvement as the Games move on is Gilas’ priority mindset, according to Cone.

“We gotta go up the level, we gotta continue to rise in our game ‘cause we’re gonna play a tougher opponent each time out,” he said.

“I mean, from Bahrain to Thailand to Jordan, and perhaps to the next round, whether it be Korea or Japan or whoever, and hopefully to the semis, maybe to the finals, we gotta continue to lift the level of our game, that’s important.”

A one-and-a-half-hour practice was scheduled at 1 p.m.

After Thailand, Gilas faces Jordan on September 30 at 5:30 p.m.

“Jordan is a much, much, much better team than Thailand,” said Cone when asked to rate Gilas’ preliminary-round opponents. (ai/mnm)

INTERIM head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, Tim Cone, has announced replacements for four players who have been omitted from the lineup for the upcoming Asian Games scheduled to commence on September 23 in Hangzhou, China.

During a press briefing held on Tuesday alongside officials from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Cone revealed that Chris Ross, Kevin Alas, Arvin Tolentino, and CJ Perez would step in to replace Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Moala Tautuaa, and Jason Perkins.

Additionally, Marco Lassiter has been added to the team’s roster, while Cone noted that Roger Pogoy would be unavailable due to “serious health reasons.”

Despite calls from netizens urging the Philippines to withdraw from the Asiad, team manager Alfrancis Chua stated that this was not an option.

Chua also mentioned that they would soon release the finalized player list submitted to the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games organizers.

Gilas Pilipinas is coming off an appearance at the FIBA World Cup held in the country, where the national team ended with a disappointing 1-4 win-loss record.

(ai/mnm)

PRE-GAME CELEBRATION. Dwight Ramos turns 25 and gets a birthday cake prior to the Philippines-China match at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Classification 17-32 Round at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday (Sept. 2, 2023). The Philippines ended its campaign with a first win in five games, 96-75. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

Gilas Pilipinas secured an emphatic 21-point victory over China, clinching a spot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) while marking a significant milestone in their FIBA Basketball World Cup journey. The resounding 96-75 triumph over China was witnessed by a crowd of 11,080 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday night.

With this victory, the Philippines celebrated their first-ever FIBA World Cup home win, ending a long-standing drought dating back to 1978 and improving upon their initial 0-4 start in the 2023 campaign. Importantly, this win secured their place in the OQT for the following year as they finished second in Group M after a tiebreaker with Angola and China.

Gilas Pilipinas’ impressive performance guarantees them a finish no lower than 24th place, well within the top 27 cutoffs for teams headed to the OQT.

The win also served as a fitting farewell to Coach Chot Reyes, who hinted at his departure from the national team during the press conference. Reyes reflected, “I might have coached my last game already as Gilas Pilipinas coach. We didn’t perform, and like I said in the last game, I take full accountability, and because of that, I think it’s time for me to step aside. I hate to use the word resign because I’m not a quitter. I am not a quitter.”

The turning point of the game came in the third quarter when Jordan Clarkson erupted for 24 points, helping Gilas outscore China 34-11 and establish an insurmountable lead. Clarkson finished the game with an impressive 34 points, shooting 11-of-18 from the field, along with two rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Expressing his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support, he stated, “We definitely wanted to get a win and go home with one at least. But yeah, they showed love the whole time, supported us, stayed behind us, so we kept continuing to fight.”

Rhenz Abando contributed 14 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block for Gilas. On the other side, Kyle Anderson led China with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal, offering an apology to their fans for their performance.

In a separate development, Japan secured its place in the 2024 Paris Olympics after defeating Cape Verde with a score of 80-71 at Okinawa Arena. Japan’s victory was highlighted by a strong second-quarter performance, outscoring Cape Verde 33-18 and taking a 50-37 halftime lead. Despite a late surge from Cape Verde, Japan maintained their lead and ultimately sealed their qualification for the Paris Olympics. Josh Hawkinson led the charge for Japan with 29 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and one steal. Japan will be making its second consecutive Olympic appearance, having emerged as the top Asian team in the World Cup with a 3-2 record. (ai/mnm)

Gilas Pilipinas scored a win finally at the expense of China via a 96-75 rout on their fifth and final outing in the FIBA World Cup Saturday night but it seems that for coach Chot Reyes (left) there is nothing much to cheer about. Gilas dropped its first four games in the world’s biggest basketball tourney, missing punching an outright slot for the 2024 Olympics in France.     

MANILA — Chot Reyes made the decision to step down as the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas immediately after the team’s victorious conclusion to their 2023 FIBA World Cup journey against China.

“Clearly, our performance fell short. We didn’t meet expectations, and as I mentioned in our last game, I take full responsibility for that. Therefore, I believe it’s time for me to step aside,” Reyes expressed during the postgame press conference following Gilas’ impressive 96-75 victory over China on Saturday night.

“I prefer not to use the term ‘resign’ because I’m not one to quit. I’m not a quitter. I want to emphasize that to everyone who may wonder. However, I took on this role with the understanding that I needed to deliver results, and I did not achieve that. So, I think it’s best for me to step down and allow the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) to make decisions that benefit the team and the program.”

In front of an audience of 11,080 dedicated fans who braved heavy rain to support Gilas in their final classification round match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Filipino team exhibited remarkable energy, fueled by the scorching shooting of their naturalized player, Jordan Clarkson.

As the final buzzer sounded, Gilas concluded a rollercoaster FIBA World Cup journey with a victory, which came after four heartbreaking losses during the tournament that cost the Philippines an automatic spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Reyes clarified that he had not received any communication from SBP since the team was officially eliminated from Olympic contention following a disappointing 87-68 loss to South Sudan in the classification round on Thursday night.

“No, I haven’t heard from the management. This is my decision. As everyone knows, I didn’t seek this job; I didn’t volunteer for it. I was entrusted with this responsibility. I had already retired from coaching the national team, and throughout this time, I’ve consistently said that we should be judged based on our performance in the World Cup, regardless of what occurred between my appointment and today. I’ve always maintained that we should be evaluated on our performance,” explained Reyes, who played a pivotal role in bringing the Philippines back to the global stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1978.

Reyes was credited with guiding the Philippines back to the world stage when they defeated long-standing rivals South Korea during the 2013 FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Manila, earning a ticket to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.

During that tournament, the Philippines, bolstered by naturalized big man and former Brooklyn Nets player Andray Blatche, pushed world-class opponents like Croatia, Argentina, Greece, and Puerto Rico to the brink of defeat, with narrow losses.

Gilas ended the tournament on a high note with an 81-79 overtime victory over Senegal, marking a significant achievement for the country on the global stage, the best since their 2-5 record in the 1974 FIBA World Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (ai/mnm)

Although the Group Phase has concluded for Gilas Pilipinas, their determination remains unwavering. Despite a 0-3 performance, the Philippines’ focus has shifted towards two crucial classification games that will determine their destiny in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

With no intention of surrender, the Philippines pushes forward, eyeing their chances in these two upcoming matches.

The first match is set for Thursday, August 31, followed by the second on September 2.

These encounters hold the potential to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, as the highest-ranking Asian team from the World Cup will represent the region.

While the final standings in Group B are yet to be determined, Serbia currently holds a secure position at No. 1 with a 2-0 record.

This leaves China, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan as potential pathways for Gilas Pilipinas to earn their ticket to Paris, with the definitive placements to be revealed on Wednesday.

The upcoming match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday will require substantial support from fans, given its significance.

Despite the Philippines’ winless streak in Group A, the dream of participating in the Olympics persists within the hearts of every Filipino.

Gilas Pilipinas is poised to face off against the third and fourth-place teams from Group B, marking crucial showdowns.

Anticipation for the game is high, with a sold-out crowd anticipated to wear blue in solidarity with the team’s unwavering spirit.

The clash is scheduled for an 8 p.m. tip-off, and Gilas Pilipinas is mentally prepared for another challenging battle.

“We’re incredibly motivated. Our motivation has been there from the start. Our team possesses strength and resilience, consistently fighting until the final moments of the game,” stated Jordan Clarkson, reflecting on the team’s valiant effort against Italy, despite a narrow loss of 90-83.

Clarkson believes that the Philippines is on the brink of discovering the winning formula, poised to make the final push to overcome challenges. Despite narrow defeats against Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy, the team remains determined.

“We’ve always felt that we’re in every game. We fight relentlessly and possess the strength to rally. We’re capable of turning things around and securing these two victories. We understand the significance, both for us and our nation. We’re giving it our all,” declared the standout player of Gilas Pilipinas.

The race for the solitary Olympic slot allocated to Asia remains fiercely contested, with Japan leading the charge after finishing the initial round with a 1-2 record. Carrying over their 0-3 record from the Group Phase, Gilas Pilipinas hopes for losses from Japan and other Asian teams, while they secure victories to emerge as the highest-ranked Asian team in the tournament.

Coach Chot Reyes had Paris and the Olympics on his mind even prior to the Italy game.

“Our focus is on delivering 40 minutes of solid basketball because our goal is to qualify for the Olympics,” affirmed Reyes. “I’m not fixated on the numbers. What matters to me is earning that Olympic berth.” (ai/mnm)

Group A Final Standings

Dominican Republic 3-0
Italy 2-1
Angola 1-2
Philippines 0-3

MANILA – Italy simply proved too hot to handle for Team Gilas Pilipinas.

As if working like a well-oiled machine, Italy buried the Nationals with three-point daggers resulting in a 90-83 victory while dousing cold any hopes that Gilas Pilipinas nurtured of barging into the next round in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.

The Nationals came into the game greatly hoping to grab a 12-point victory but Italy proved unstoppable from beyond the perimeter by bombing away with 17 triples in all.

It was Italy’s second victory in three games while the Philippines absorbed its third straight loss in as many outings and out of contention for the next round.

A huge hometown crowd filled the Araneta Coliseum but their presence failed to stop Italy from raiing down daggers from beyond the arc that came down almost at will, like missiles.

Into the final five minutes of play, Italy buried its 17th three-point in the game that gave them an unassailable 88-71 edge.

Gilas mounted its final stand via a 13-2 run that closed the gap to within seven points, 81-88, entering the final two minutes of play.

They tried to push it nearer to within four points but Kiefer Ravena’s triple try on their next ball possession rimmed out.

Two more free throws from Italy and a Ravena lay-up sealed the game.

Italy took the half ahead by nine (9), 48-39. PH lead by three at the end of the first canto, 23-20.

In Gilas’ initial match against the Dominican Republic on opening day last Friday (25 August 2023), the Nationals suffered a defeat with a score of 80-87, as they lost momentum in the fourth quarter.

Some quarters argue that the outcome could have favored Gilas Pilipinas had not main man Jordan Clarkson fouled out in the final three minutes of play due to consecutive fouls.

Moving on to Gilas’ second game on Sunday (27 August 2023) against Angola, the Nationals took the lead after the first quarter with a score of 19-12.

However, they once again struggled to maintain a strong defense and effective offense in the next three quarters.

The home team even managed to build an 11-point lead at one point, but unfortunately, they ended up losing their second match.

The downturn for Team PH came when Angola scored three consecutive three-pointers midway in the final quarter, turning a close three-point game into a 15-point lead.

Angola never looked back from there. (ai/mnm)

SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios (Malaya Business Insight courtesy)

Gilas’ journey to the next stage remains a possibility, according to a high-ranking official from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). The executive director of SBP issued a call to all Filipinos to stand in solidarity with Gilas Pilipinas as they compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

This call comes as Gilas finds themselves in a must-win scenario leading up to their concluding Group A match against Italy at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Tuesday night.

Sonny Barrios, the executive director of SBP, emphasized the application of the political concept of unity to basketball. He urged against forsaking the national team in their hour of need, especially following two defeats. He remarked, “Now is not the time for us to abandon our own national team. This is not the time. In fact, this is the time when they need our support. Let’s show them our concern and prayers, that in some way, they will succeed. Because they are genuinely giving their all.”

In their tournament opener last Friday, Gilas narrowly missed a victory against the Dominican Republic, with a final score of 87-81, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 38,000 fans at the Philippine Arena. Subsequently, on Sunday night, they surrendered a substantial lead and were defeated by Angola with a score of 80-70 at the Big Dome. This loss not only jeopardized their advancement to the group stage but also their chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics as the top Asian team in the World Cup.

Despite the setback against Angola, there’s still a path for the Philippines to progress to the second round of the competition. However, the fate of Gilas isn’t entirely within their control: they need to secure a victory against Italy by a margin of at least 13 points on Tuesday. Additionally, they must hope that the Dominican Republic prevails over Angola in their own matchup. A win against Italy would secure their advancement to the next round.

Barrios underscored the unpredictability of outcomes in sports, stating, “You can never tell how we will fare.” He encouraged Filipino fans not to abandon the national team, noting that unexpected victories have occurred, such as Japan’s triumph over Finland and the Dominican Republic’s upset against Italy. He remained hopeful, saying, “The saying in basketball that the ball is round holds true. We can’t predict. With a bit of luck, numerous prayers, an abundance of prayers, we might just succeed.”

Furthermore, Barrios reported that there have been no criticisms about the Philippines’ hosting of the World Cup thus far. He expressed satisfaction, saying, “We are pleased to inform you that we have received nothing but praises from FIBA, the international federation, about our preparation and organization of this World Cup. We can all take pride in that achievement.”

The Philippines is collaborating with Japan and Indonesia as co-hosts for the World Cup, with the concluding phase of the tournament set to take place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. (ai/mnm)

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas faces a significant challenge in moving past their well-known fourth-quarter breakdown against the Dominican Republic on the opening day Friday night. Their primary focus now is shifting towards the crucial match against Angola in the FIBA World Cup.

Scheduled to play against Angola at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, the national team understands the need for adjustments, especially after reviewing their performance against the Dominicans.

Coach Chot Reyes expressed his thoughts on the matter, saying, “We committed 19 turnovers, and that was a significant factor,” following their 87-81 loss to the Dominicans on Friday. “We had a better shooting performance than the Dominicans, but they had more attempts than we did.”

Ranked 41st, the Angolan team, led by Atlanta Hawks’ Bruno Fernando, displayed resilience against Italy for the first three quarters until the Italians took control in the final period, finishing with an 81-67 score.

Reyes emphasized the importance of preparation for the Angolan defensive strategy. He mentioned, “Angola applies ball pressure similar to the Dominican Republic, so we definitely need to make adjustments in our offensive approach.”

Moreover, Reyes stressed the need to minimize turnovers and increase their aggression in offensive rebounds. He noted, “Our main issue (against the Dominicans) was the 19 turnovers and allowing 17 offensive rebounds. We must ensure that we can handle Angola’s defensive pressure effectively,” Reyes added. (AI/MNM)

Gilas Pilipinas in the thick of things (Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News)

BULACAN — In the inaugural match of the FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas failed to maintain their momentum in the first three quarters and allowed a hugely taller Dominican Republic squad to secure a hard-fought 87-81 victory before a record 38,000 spectators at the Philippine Arena here.

Gilas held a narrow three-point lead, 72-69, thanks to Jordan Clarkson’s successful free throws with just under six minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, this advantage quickly slipped away. The Dominican Republic responded with consecutive three-pointers, the last one coming from Karl-Anthony Towns, propelling them ahead at 75-72 with 5:58 on the clock.

Despite their efforts, Gilas managed to stay competitive, narrowing the gap to 74-75 and then 77-76 through Junmar Fajardo’s free throws and jumper. Unfortunately, this was the last significant surge from the national team. A critical five-second inbound violation occurred at the 3:50 mark, halting their momentum.

Jordan Clarkson led the scoring for Gilas Pilipinas with 28 points, while Junmar Fajardo contributed 16 points.

Throughout the first half, the tenacity of Team Gilas Pilipinas was evident. They prevented the Dominican Republic from extending their lead beyond six points, maintaining a tight game at 17-11. Earl Scottie Carreon Thompson’s three-pointer disrupted the opposition’s efforts to build a larger lead, bringing the Nationals back into contention at 17-14.

As the first half concluded, Gilas managed to level the score at 42-42 thanks to a slam dunk by Rhenz Abando. Abando, a 6-foot-2 professional basketball player, had previously played for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Philippine Basketball Association before joining Anyang KGC in the Korean Basketball League. He began his college basketball journey with the UST Growling Tigers.

Gilas Pilipinas (Photo from FIBA)

MANILA – Now it can be told.

The lineup of 12 individuals designated to represent the Philippines in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has been unveiled.

Al Panlilio, the President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), officially disclosed the finalized roster of Gilas Pilipinas to ABS-CBN News.

Outlined below is the list of 12 players comprising the Gilas Pilipinas squad for the World Cup:

Rhenz Abando
Japeth Aguilar
Jordan Clarkson
AJ Edu
June Mar Fajardo
Jamie Malonzo
CJ Perez
RR Pogoy
Dwight Ramos
Kiefer Ravena
Kai Sotto
Scottie Thompson

The Philippines will embark on their World Cup journey commencing on August 25, squaring off against the Dominican Republic.

Anticipated to be in the presence of a record-breaking audience at the Philippine Arena, this event marks the start of their campaign.

(ai/mnm)

Team Gilas Pilipinas poses with the national team of Ivory Coast following a tune-up game on Friday night. (Photo courtesy of the SBP).

MANILA — The Gilas Pilipinas basketball team is poised to wrap up its series of preparatory matches ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a face-off against Mexico.

Scheduled for Monday at 8:00 PM, the Philippine team will clash with Mexico, currently ranked 31st in the world, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Drawing on their experience from the 2014 World Cup in Spain, Mexico relies on their dynamic playmakers and lethal shooting prowess, which have led to several remarkable upsets against the United States over the past two years.

Leading the charge for Mexico are key offensive contributors such as Paul Stoll, Pako Cruz, Orlando Mendez, and Gabriel Giron, while Daniel Amigo and Joshua Ibarra will anchor the team’s presence in the paint.

Coming off a recent friendly game against Montenegro, Gilas will utilize this contest to further integrate Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson into their system, aiming to reduce the turnover count that reached 18 in their previous match.

In reference to the new additions to the team, former Philippines head coach and current Serbia mentor Rajko Toroman, who observed the Ivory Coast tuneup, commented, “This is the first game with Jordan Clarkson. They need time to iron out everything, to build the chemistry. But you can see that Clarkson brings a lot to the game; he showcased dominant play here. It’s just a matter of establishing chemistry among all the players.”

Toroman, also a former consultant for Barako Bull, praised the current crop of national team players, asserting, “They possess size and all-around skills, even players with international exposure like Kiefer Ravena and Dwight Ramos. I believe this is the strongest team in the history of Philippine basketball.”

On the other side of the court, the Filipino squad faces similarities in their game against Montenegro, where they encountered the challenge of Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic. Standing at 6-foot-9, the former Orlando Magic center presents an array of offensive skills, reminiscent of Karl Anthony-Towns, who will lead the Dominican Republic in their inaugural match at the Philippine Arena on the 25th. (ai/mnm)

Coach Chot Reyes (Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net)

With less than three weeks remaining until Gilas Pilipinas’ debut game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, national coach Chot Reyes is confronted with the formidable task of selecting the final 12 players from the current 20-man pool.

Undoubtedly, this assignment comes with its own set of complexities, given the dedication and sweat the players have poured into their preparation, coupled with the setbacks they’ve encountered due to injuries.

Reflecting on the 2007 FIBA Asia Cup in Tokushima, China, during his previous stint as head coach, Reyes recalled the process of trimming the team to the final 12 as an exceedingly arduous one.

“In the 2007 Tokushima tournament, our final decisions included leaving out James Yap, RDO (Ranidel de Ocampo), and Tony dela Cruz. Narrowing it down to the final 12 was an incredibly demanding task,” shared Reyes in a recent video interview with former PBA commissioner Noli Eala on his Power and Play sports program.

“The upcoming selection process (for the 2023 Gilas roster) will be equally challenging; it’s an integral aspect of the job,” he added.

However, knowing that finalizing the Gilas 12 is an unavoidable facet of his role, the 60-year-old national coach has set forth a specific set of criteria for the players who will make the cut.

“I’ve consistently emphasized that players must align with our desired style of play, complement each other’s strengths, and be in peak physical condition,” explained Reyes, whose team is presently competing in the three-nation 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, China.

“These factors will carry as much weight as the players’ tenure with the group.”

Nevertheless, Reyes expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming World Cup challenge, acknowledging that he will undertake one of the most significant tests of his basketball career with a dedicated group of players.

“To be completely honest, I’m excited. However, I’m also apprehensive about finalizing the roster, as those decisions will undoubtedly be incredibly tough. Nonetheless, I’m invigorated and inspired by the team’s camaraderie,” shared Reyes, who just last May guided Gilas to recapture the gold medal in men’s basketball at the Southeast Asian Games, triumphing over a Cambodia team bolstered by several foreign players.

Highlighting the resilience of the 13-man Gilas squad competing in Heyuan, who endured a grueling six-hour bus journey to the playing venue before facing a tall and versatile Senegalese team, Reyes noted, “Even so, our Gilas players faced off against Senegal, a formidable team boasting several 7-footers. I observed the team’s resilience and determination firsthand.”

“When you have players of such caliber, it instills excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead,” he added.

At the time of this post, Gilas is set to face Senegal once more on Sunday evening before concluding their competition in China against Iran’s B Team on Monday night. (ai/mnm)