Gilas Pilipinas takes on Hong Kong anew as FIBA Asia Cup ticket nears

Gilas Pilipinas is seeking to pick up where it left from, squaring off with Hong Kong on Sunday as the Philippines closes out the second window of 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Filipinos are coming off a breakthrough win over perennial tormentor and world no. 22 New Zealand last Thursday, when the hosts shocked the visitors with a 93-89 victory behind the duo of Kai Sotto and Justin Brownlee. 

Sotto had his best game in a Gilas uniform, erupting for a career-high 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and one steal while the naturalized Brownlee poured a double-double as well with 26 markers, 11 boards, four dimes, two blocks, and two steals to help the country halt a four-game losing slump against the Tall Blacks. 

"That's what we're here for right? We try to win these kinds of games," Gilas head coach Tim Cone said.

"We just wanted to bring our A game because we know how good New Zealand is and we really respect them as a team. I'm just happy we got the win and hopefully we get another one on Sunday against Hong Kong."

They are hoping to sustain this momentum heading to their second meeting with Hong Kong. 

The world no. 34 Gilas, however, isn't taking no. 117 Hong Kong lightly despite the latter featuring a winless record of 0-3 so far, especially that a win over them will put Gilas much closer to an outright Asia Cup ticket. 

In order to qualify to the main tournament, Gilas will need to win over Hong Kong and hope for a New Zealand victory over Chinese Taipei in their match this Monday. 

Good news for Gilas is it already had won over the same foe during the first window, when the Philippines pulled off a massive 94-64 victory to open its campaign in the qualifiers. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News