There’s little to no time to reflect on the Chinese Taipei loss, as Gilas Pilipinas battle old foes New Zealand in a must-win game in Group D play of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
It wasn’t the dream start Gilas Pilipinas had envisioned in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The Filipinos couldn’t recover from an early 17-point hole, ultimately falling to Chinese Taipei, 87-95, in their tournament start at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, August 6 (PH time).
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas bow to Chinese Taipei in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 opener]
Gilas came within striking distance at 80-74 in the final frame. But Justin Brownlee picked up his fifth foul with 4:29 remaining in regulation, a huge dent in the team’s hopes of completing the comeback.
Brownlee finished with 19 points, while Kevin Quiambao provided a much-needed spark, contributing 16 points in just 17 minutes off the bench.
Scottie Thompson and Dwight Ramos each added 16 markers, while AJ Edu racked up a near double-double effort of eight points and 12 rebounds in 20 minutes.
While head coach Tim Cone took responsibility for the loss, Edu admitted that the players also share the blame for the outcome.
[ALSO READ: Cone disappointed in Gilas' Asia Cup opening loss: 'Like we’re in panic mode for 40 mins']
“We got punched early and didn’t punch back. The coaches can give us all the schemes and prepare us all they can, but as guys on the court we're gonna take responsibility as well,” Edu said in the post-game press conference.
Gilas Men dominated the boards, holding a commanding 48-24 rebounding edge—including a 21-6 advantage on the offensive glass—that translated to 22 second-chance points.
The Nationals also registered more assists, 20-12, and scored 41 points off the bench compared to Chinese Taipei’s 16.
However, 16 turnovers leading to 18 Chinese Taipei points and 26 fouls proved too costly for Gilas, who also struggled to contain Chen Ying-Chun and his 34-point explosion.
“We just had to step up. It wasn’t a thing of underestimating them. We knew how good they were coming into this game. It’s just on us as players to step up knowing how good they are,” Edu added.
With the loss, the Philippines now sits at 0-1 in Group D, alongside Iraq, while Chinese Taipei and New Zealand are tied at the top with one win each following their respective opening games.
Gilas Pilipinas will aim to bounce back on August 7 against the Tall Blacks at 11:00 p.m. (PH time).
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | Gilas Pilipinas compete at 2025 FIBA Asia Cup]
The Cone-led squad previously defeated New Zealand in the second window of the qualifying stages last November, only for the world no. 22 squad to even the series with a win in Auckland earlier this year.