Updated:2024-11-24 02:53 Views:134
Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto during a Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers game against New Zealand. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers
The Philippines’ shock victory over New Zealand late on Thursday night not only ended a spell of defeats to the powerhouse Asia-Oceania squad, it gave the national program an opportunity to keep building toward the development of its younger players.
Article continues after this advertisementThe 93-89 upset that thrilled a packed Mall of Asia Arena crowd gave Gilas Pilipinas a third straight win in as many games in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers and cleared the Filipinos’ path heading into a battle with listless Hong Kong again this coming Sunday.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Gilas win gives Tim Cone chance to give standouts an important break SPORTS Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for first time in Fiba competition SPORTS Kai Sotto puts on impressive showing to defend Gilas home courtUp against a lower-ranked foe whose chance of advancing is close to nil, the Philippines can now shift to a low gear and allow players who barely saw action in the clash with the Tall Blacks to have their chance to shine.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for first time in Fiba competition
Article continues after this advertisementThat includes Ange Kouame, the other naturalized player who could be activated in the game that will be played again at the bayside arena in Pasay City.
Article continues after this advertisement“Ange is one of our naturalized players. But we can only play one naturalized player at a time, so that means the only person he could play in place of is Justin,” national coach Tim Cone said in a recent interview.
Article continues after this advertisementBrownlee had 26 points and 11 rebounds in the win against New Zealand, while Kai Sotto added an all-around performance of 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists—leading a third-quarter charge that allowed the Filipinos to break out of a tied game and take a nine-point lead into the fourth.
One more win
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
But it was guard Chris Newsome who came up huge in the stretch, defusing a late run by the Kiwis with a dagger triple and then coming up with a crucial steal near the end.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Philippines can qualify for the Asia Cup with one more win, and that could come against Hong Kong, where a stint by Kouame could allow the former Ateneo star to regain his confidence and rebuild cohesion with his teammates, whom he hasn’t played with in an official game since the golden romp in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
READ: Kai Sotto puts on impressive showing to defend Gilas Pilipinas home court
“Ange is only going to enhance everything we do. He’s a hard worker, he brings it every day in practice,” Cone said. “He’s gonna make us all better. We’d love to have Ange as long as he wants.
“We need him there so he can be ready to step in immediately as necessary. Plus, he’s one of the few guys who can throw a body at June Mar [Fajardo] and get June Mar ready for playing against bigger players, which is very important for us.”
The Philippines whipped Hong Kong, 94-64, in a road game back in February.
Aside from Kouame, another player who could enjoy more exposure in the return match against the Chinese is Mason Amos, the young stretch big serving his redshirt year for La Salle.
Amos was hardly utilized during the Olympic qualifiers in Riga, Latvia, and even Cone has spoken candidly about missing the chance to do so.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
“We’re hoping to reap the benefits of that going into this next tournamentlodibet, as opposed to having, you know, different players and having to reteach. Now it’s all about elevating—elevating the knowledge of the players,” Cone said.
READ NEXT NBA: 76ers’ Paul George sidelined 2 games with knee injury UAAP: ‘Praying’ UE Warriors big Ateneo supporters vs Adamson EDITORS' PICK Gilas not in ‘best team’ form yet even with win vs New Zealand NBA: Magic’s Franz Wagner sinks Lakers with late trey IAS recommends dismissal of police general for ‘neglect of duty’ Regine Velasquez gets apology over MYX Music Awards billing Putin hints at strikes on West in ‘global’ Ukraine war DTI warns of counterfeit Highlands corned beef MOST READ Marcos on calls to suspend BARMM polls: It is being studied Sara Duterte visits detained chief of staff, spends night at House Rep. Chua: Do we have to remind VP Sara Duterte to follow House rules? Heavy NLEX traffic expected on Nov. 23 due to concert in PH Arena Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments