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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Gilas turns back Macau in much-needed tuneup ahead of Asia Cup

Gilas turns back Macau in much-needed tuneup ahead of Asia Cup

Published Jul 28, 2025 10:12 pm

At A Glance

  • Gilas Pilipinas was far from perfect in its first competitive game after returning to training camp. But it is surely not coming to the FIBA Asia Cup without a fighting heart.
Gilas Pilipinas was far from perfect in its first competitive game after returning to training camp. But it is surely not coming to the FIBA Asia Cup without a fighting heart.
The Nationals rode on a fiery second half rally and turned back the visiting Macau Black Bears, 103-98, to get a challenging yet much-needed tuneup game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday, July 28.
Gilas overcame a lethargic start that saw Macau led by as many as 21 points with guys like CJ Perez, AJ Edu and Justin Brownlee injecting life to the fight and sparking the searing rally to outscore the visiting team, 57-35.
More than getting the offensive rhythm in the last two quarters, it was the defense of Gilas that made things happen as, after allowing the Black Bears to explode for 63 points at the half, forced them to consecutive turnovers that allowed the Nationals go on a run.
Justin Brownlee, playing his first game since the Commissioners Cup Finals, exploded 32 points – 15 of which he poured in the final frame including the booming triple that put Gilas ahead 87-85.
The floodgates simply opened from there for Gilas with Dwight Ramos providing ample support to Brownlee with 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals while AJ Edu added 15.
Brownlee also hauled down 15 rebounds while Kevin Quiambao and Scottie Thompson chipped in 14 and 10.
The Nationals trailed 35-56 with three minutes left in the first half largely due to the hot shooting of the Black Bears behind Jenning Leung who fired 15 of his 17 points in the first two quarters.
William Douglas paced Macau with 23 points to go with his eight steals while Omari Peek had 14 in a losing effort.
Gilas takes a break from training on Tuesday before resuming its practice on Wednesday morning, and then flying to Jeddah in the evening.
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