Photo credit: Pilipinas Live | Hangzhou Asian Games
Gilas Pilipinas Men used a balanced attack to defeat the previously undefeated Jordan, 70-60, in the gold medal match of the 2023 Asian Games Men's Basketball 5x5 event on Friday, October 6, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium. [VIDEO]
Four Gilas players finished in double-digits, with Justin Brownlee leading the way with a double-double of 20 points (6/18FG, 4/10 2pts, 2/8 3pts, 6/7ft), along with 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block. Ange Kouame had his best game in the tournament with a double-double performance of 14 points (5/6FG, 4/4ft), a team-high 11 rebounds, a game-high 5 steals, and 2 blocks in 20 minutes of play. Team captain Chris Newsome had a solid game of 13 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists while Scottie Thompson added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led Jordan in a losing effort with a game-high 24 points (8/29FG, 5/15 2pts, 3/14 3pts, 5/11ft), 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals while star guard Freddy Ibrahim added 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Gilas shot 33% from the field (22/67fg), including 7-of-25 shooting from beyond the arc. Jordan had 18 out of 69 field goals and made 8 out of 36 attempts from three-point range. Gilas went 19 out of 22 from the free-throw line, while Jordan made 16 out of 28 free throws. The Philippines and Jordan had almost identical stats: they both had 54 rebounds, with Gilas recording more assists (19-18), steals (8-7), and blocks (4-3), while Jordan had fewer turnovers (11-12).
The Philippines has reached the Asian Games men's basketball finals for the first time in 33 years, dating back to 1990, and has brought home the GOLD, ending a six-decade-long gold medal drought in men's basketball since the 1962 Asian Games.
Gilas will be back in action in the 24-team tournament (comprising 6 groups of 4 teams each) in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The Philippines is in Group B alongside New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. Their first set of games will take place during the February 2024 window, with a match against Hong Kong on February 22, followed by a game against Chinese Taipei on February 25. The top two teams from each group will secure their spots in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 [LIVE]. As for the six third-place teams from each group, they will earn a chance to participate in a final qualifying tournament.
For complete game schedule of Gilas Pilipinas, follow this link.
The scores:
PHILIPPINES 70 - Brownlee 20, Kouame 14, Newsome 13, Thompson 11, Oftana 5, Aguilar 3, Perez 2, Alas 2, Fajardo 0, Tolentino DNP, Lassiter DNP, Ross DNP.
JORDAN 60 - Hollis-Jefferson 24, Ibrahim 13, Al Dwairi 8, Alhamarsheh 6, Bohannon 4, Bzai 3, Hussein 2, Alhendi 0, Kanaan 0, Qarmash DNP, Alhammouri DNP, Abbaas DNP.
Quarters: 17-12, 31-31, 51-41, 70-60. [VIDEO] | [STATS]
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