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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Gilas off to a flyer, blasts Guam in WC qualifier opener

Gilas off to a flyer, blasts Guam in WC qualifier opener

Published Nov 28, 2025 07:49 pm

At A Glance

  • Gilas Pilipinas was off to a flyer in its bid to return to the 2027 World Cup, routing Guam, 87-46, in the first window of the FIBA qualifiers at the Calvo Fieldhouse on Friday, Nov. 28.
Gilas Pilipinas was off to a flyer in its bid to return to the 2027 World Cup, routing Guam, 87-46, in the first window of the FIBA qualifiers at the Calvo Fieldhouse on Friday, Nov. 28.
The Nationals took everything the hosts had to offer before coming through with a sizzling 16-4 second quarter run that broke the game wide open and allowed the Filipinos to pick up the important win in the qualifier.
Sidelined by illness for quite some time before rejoining the national team, Justin Brownlee had to shake off the cobwebs in the first frame before leading the charge for Gilas with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field.
Dwight Ramos chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, three assists along with two blocks and a steal while five other Gilas players scored at least seven points.
June Mar Fajardo had eight points and 10 rebounds to lead Gilas’ display of depth while AJ Edu added eight points and eight boards. CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson and Kevin Quiambao each had seven.
Debuting forward Quentin Millora-Brown, who started the game at the power forward spot, contributed six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
San Miguel wingman and Guam star Jericho Cruz paced the host team with 17 points – a large part of it the reason how the host team managed to keep in step with Gilas through the first quarter, 17-17.
The second quarter explosion for Gilas along with the tighter defensive stand that held Cruz scoreless in the second half, proved to be the turning point as the Filipinos led by as many as 41 in the contest.
Gilas will try to go for a 2-0 start in the qualifiers when it takes on Guam once more, although this time, at its home court at the Blue Eagle Gym on Monday, Dec. 1.
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