Gilas Pilipinas achieved a new feat while also drubbing Guam in their FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers opener.
Gone are the days when Filipinos are deemed too small in international basketball.
That was none more evident in Gilas Pilipinas’ 87-46 rout of Guam in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the likes of June Mar Fajardo and newcomer Quentin Millora-Brown imposed their size inside the paint.
[RELATED STORY: Cone says Jericho Cruz 'shocked' Gilas in its rout of Guam in FIBA WC Qualifiers]
Even without the 7-foot-3 star center Kai Sotto, the Philippines set a new Asian Qualifiers rebounding record with 61 following their match at the Yigo Village, Calvo Field House on Friday, Nov. 28.
Fajardo, QMB, and AJ Edu — all listed as 6-foot-10 — combined for 28 rebounds for Gilas, whose previous high was 55 against Saudi Arabia.
[ALSO READ: June Mar Fajardo opens up about looming Gilas retirement: ‘Dapat makinig din sa katawan ko’]
Gilas’ count broke the mark (59) initially set by Lebanin in 2021 and was tied by Iran in 2022.
While Gilas now has the Asian record, 61 rebounds are ranked third for most in a single game in the World Cup Qualifiers behind DR Congo and Angola with 63.
The Philippines shares the same high mark with Nigeria, Chad, and Brazil.
DR Congo was the first to reach 63 rebounds in a game against Morocco in 2018, before Angola tied it five years later.
[ALSO READ: Guam ace Jonathan Galloway tips hat off to Gilas after loss in FIBA WC Qualifiers]
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.