It's Gilas Pilipinas vs. Australia for the right to advance to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 semifinals. It's the first meeting between the two nations since 2018.
Gilas Pilipinas started slow, kept in step in the succeeding quarters, but could not do much to flip the script against Australia, 60-84, in their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 quarterfinal match.
The Boomers thus showed the Philippines the door while booking a trip to the semifinals.
FINAL
- Things look up for Gilas when Quiambao opens the scoring with a three-pointer.
- But while the Nationals continue to be better on defense, they just can't do much to turn things around.
- Kevin Quiambao paces Gilas with 17 points on five three-pointers.
- Dwight Ramos has 15 points, while Brownlee adds 10.
THIRD QUARTER
- Australia starts connecting from deep again, making three from Owen Foxwell and Jaylin Galloway.
- Gilas showing signs of life with better execution and better interior defense courtesy of Japeth Aguilar and Edu.
- Zone defense is working wonders for Gilas.
- Gilas still trails Australia, 50-69, heading into the fourth period.
SECOND QUARTER
- Gilas starts without a center and jumps to a 7-2 run but still trails Australia, 19-31.
- Kevin Quiambao turns it up from long range, making three triples to keep Gilas afloat.
- Gilas still trails at the end of first half, 28-48.
[RELATED STORY: Tim Cone optimistic on Gilas' chances vs Australia FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals: 'We just got to believe']
- Quiambao leads Gilas at the half with 11 points, while Brownlee and Dwight Ramos combine for 15 points.
- Galloway paces Australia with 12 points at the break.
[WATCH: LIVE CHAT: Gilas Pilipinas vs Australia | FIBA Asia Cup 2025]
FIRST QUARTER
- Within the first two minutes, Australia already sinks three triples, two of which from Jaylin Galloway.
- The Boomers swish 7-for-12 from the three-point line in the first ten minutes of action.
- Australia disrupts the offensive flow for Gilas, putting two bodies on Justin Brownlee in most possessions.
- Gilas trails Australia, 12-29, at the end of the period.
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History, pride, and a place in the semifinals will be on the line when Gilas Pilipinas battle powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 quarterfinals.
The Boomers, two-time defending champions, enter as Group A’s top seed after sweeping their way into the knockout stage. They have yet to taste defeat in the Asia Cup since joining the competition in 2017 and own a commanding 5-1 all-time record against the Philippines.
But beyond the numbers, this matchup carries extra weight—it will be the first meeting between the two nations since their infamous 2018 brawl in Bulacan that left both teams with suspensions.
[Related: Gilas Pilipinas face Australia in FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals, 7 years after infamous brawl]
Gilas, however, arrives with momentum after surviving a grueling qualification round, capped by an overtime escape over Saudi Arabia for back-to-back wins.
With confidence growing and the challenge steep, the Filipinos will look to defy history and punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Tip off is Wednesday, August 13, at 7:00 p.m. (PH time).
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