Gilas Pilipinas blasted Hong Kong, 93-54, on Sunday to claim the Asia Cup berth in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Three days after an inspiring performance that led to a historic 93-89 victory against World No. 22 New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas continued its winning ways and smothered lowly Hong Kong in all quarters to rule Group B with an undefeated 4-0 record.
Korean Basketball League Asian import Carl Tamayo stood tall with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and hauled down six rebounds, while eight-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo had 14 points and eight rebounds.
It was apples and oranges for New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s shooting display was more terrible than the Tall Blacks after it finished with an overall poor 20-of-65 shooting from the field or 30.77 percent against Gilas while New Zealand tallied 32-of-66 or 48.5 percent when it lost to Gilas Pilipinas.
The Philippines shot 39-of-82 overall from the field or 47.56 percent against Hong Kong in the blowout game.
Justine Brownlee — after hitting 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists against New Zealand — finished with just 13 points.
Seven-foot-three center Kai Sotto racked up 12 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked two shots against Hong Kong after performing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists against New Zealand.
Dwight Ramos didn’t play due to a minor calf injury.
Shiu Wah Leaung and Oliver Xu led Hong Kong with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
“We didn’t play a great first half. There was a struggle for us in the first half as they were hitting open threes and that was a concern for us in this window. But in the second half, we felt we got a little bit better against their shooters,” Gilas coach Tim Cone said.
The Philippines outscored Hong Kong in third period, 22-8, for a commanding 67-43 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
Gilas is now qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup next year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from August 5 to 17.
