GILAS Pilipinas displayed its no-quit attitude, staging a major fightback to turn back home team Saudi Arabia in overtime, 95-88, in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in the wee hours of Tuesday, August 12, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The gutsy victory sent Gilas to the quarterfinal round where it will face two-time defending champion Australia. Gilas survived a second straight do-or-die match as it also had to overcome a sudden-match against Iraq to set up the qualification match to the quarterfinals against Saudi Arabia.

Justin Brownlee typified Gilas’ never-say-die spirit as he powered the team’s improbable win by knocking down a game-tying triple that knotted the score at 79-all with 3.7 seconds left.

Victory looked within reach for Saudi Arabia as it took a 77-71 lead with only 1:33 left before Brownlee sparked an 8-2 attack that helped the Nationals force overtime.

Brownlee finished with 29 points, four rebounds, and five assists while AJ Edu put in 17 markers and 11 boards. Edu also played big in the extension period, knocking down a booming triple that gave Gilas a 93-84 cushion with only 57 seconds left.

Just like Edu, Kevin Quiambao came alive in OT where he unloaded six of his 17 points. Dwight Ramos added 13 points and 10 rebounds in a balanced attack by Gilas that helped them survive the absence of Calvin Oftana and the early exit of CJ Perez.

Perez suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter. He had to be stretchered off the court and was taken to the hospital.

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman topped Saudi Arabia with 33 points spiked by eight triples. Six-foot-10 center Mohammed Alsuwailem added 26 points and 14 rebounds.(CCM)

• Tags
• #Gilas Pilipinas
• #Saudi Arabia
• #2025 FIBA Asia Cup
• #Jeddah Saudi Arabia
• #Australia
• #Justin Brownlee
• #AJ Edu
• #Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkman