Gilas Pilipinas beat New Zealand 93-89 on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. It was the first time the Philippines has ever beaten the Tall Blacks in a major FIBA competition, snapping a four-game head-to-head losing streak.
Brownlee Leads the Way
Justin Brownlee finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. He came into the game just days removed from a tough loss in the PBA Finals with Barangay Ginebra, and said the setback pushed him harder here.
“Anytime you lose in basketball or anything, you always want to try to bounce back and be better,” Brownlee said. “Playing in the PBA Finals and losing, it was definitely a great lesson. I learned a lot. But it definitely feels good to just come here and play with Gilas and get a win over New Zealand.”
Kai Sotto Shines, Scottie Thompson Returns
Kai Sotto added 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, the best game of his senior national team career. Afterward, Brownlee said this about his teammate:
“Man, I’ve been saying it: I feel like he’s good enough to play in the NBA, in my opinion,” Brownlee said. “Of course he got the height, he got the size, and the skills, but he’s been improving so much.”
Scottie Thompson made his return after missing the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July with a back injury. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds and six assists, and sparked a 15-3 run in the second quarter after Gilas fell behind 20-28 early. His three-pointer with 3:35 left in the third quarter put Gilas ahead 61-60, a lead the team held the rest of the way. Brownlee also credited head coach Tim Cone’s preparation, saying the team had put in solid work in training camp heading into the game.
Looking Ahead to Hong Kong
Gilas Pilipinas turns its attention to Hong Kong next in FIBA Asia Cup qualifying play, staying unbeaten in the window with the win. The two teams already met once this campaign, when Gilas beat Hong Kong 94-64 in the qualifiers’ opening window last February.
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