Gilas sweeps first window

Routs Taipei for 2nd win in qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines — Two for two.

Gilas Pilipinas unveiled a new era in sweeping fashion with a 106-53 trashing of Chinese Taipei to go unbeaten in Window 1 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers before a jampacked crowd yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.

The Nationals, with new head coach Tim Cone at the helm, raced to a quick 25-point lead at the half and never looked back en route to a follow-up victory on their 94-64 win over Hong Kong three days ago.

Justin Brownlee scattered 26 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks as the Philippine quintet treated the fans in their first home game with a blast.

Gilas, which tied New Zealand for the Group B lead with similar 2-0, drew a big boost from Kai Sotto who had an 18-10 double-double laced by three blocks in the wire-to-wire win.

Calvin Oftana (13), Dwight Ramos (12), Carl Tamayo (11) and Kevin Quiambao (10) were also instrumental in the balanced attack.

Gilas played with only 10 guys but found no trouble ignited by a 26-13 cushion in the first and then a massive 52-27 gap at the break with Brownlee and Sotto alone equaling Chinese Taipei’s output.

Cheng Liu (13) was the lone bright spot for Chinese Taipei, which fell to 0-2 for a tie with Hong Kong.