Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone and Kai Sotto during the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifying match against New Zealand. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas’ seemingly endless year-long ordeal at the hands of New Zealand finally came to an end in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers on Thursday night after easing to a heartbreaking 93-89 triumph in front of nearly 17,000 screaming souls at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It showed just how much this edition of the National Five has achieved since its debut last summer. And what this team has accomplished so far is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for a program that has made great strides recently.
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SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers
“We haven’t seen our best team yet,” coach Tim Cone said after the win that few expected. “We were able to beat the No. 6 team (Latvia in the Olympic qualifiers) and the No. 22 team (in New Zealand).
“So we’re still trying to figure out where we can go and how far we can go.”
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The next fight won’t really give the team the best answer to that, but rather open up a chance for Cone to compete against his less easy Nationals as the Filipinos fight against Hong Kong to sweep another window and secure a spot Main tournament of the continental meeting to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August next year.
Things that need to be addressed
Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas to a historic victory over New Zealand in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
“I take my hat off to the players and what they have done to get to this level and this point,” Cone said, praising his charges, particularly Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto and Scottie Thompson.
“I think we should all be proud of her,” he said.
However, there were some things Cone saw against the Kiwis that he didn’t like, something he should address if he wants the Filipinos to continue beating bigger, beefier teams.
READ: Gilas not yet in top team form despite win over New Zealand
“The disappointment tonight was that we made 18 three-point shots. We have to get better at defending that,” he said during the post-match press conference.
Only a steely determination to win against the Tall Blacks – and then fail again at home – carried the Nationals forward.
“They were 18 for 35 (from deep). This is incredible shooting. And so we were able to give them high praise,” he said of New Zealand. “(But) despite the incredible shooting, we were still able to win the game. So once again our guys deserve credit.”
Brownlee scored 26 points, including 11 rebounds and four assists, as well as two steals and a pair of blocks. Sotto had his best game in a Gilas jersey with 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Thompson contributed 12 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Chris Newsome scored 11 points, capped by a three-pointer that was sparked by a crucial stop that sealed the Philippines’ rise to 3-0 in Group B.
“I remember this time – and I remember this very clearly – there was a lot of talk about Scottie (that he) couldn’t play in international play,” Cone said of Thompson, who went on to play his first Gilas game He missed the Olympic qualification in July due to a back injury.
“The thing about Scottie is that you can watch the video as many times as you want. But until you get on the floor and play against him, you don’t realize what he does for you out there on the floor.”
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The game against Hong Kong is scheduled for Sunday, with the Filipinos looking to repeat a 30-point win last time out. And it would be interesting to see Gilas play against a team that is the favorite.