Gilas Pilipinas takes on Chinese Taipei in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas will face Chinese Taipei on Sunday to cap the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The national men’s basketball team on Thursday won big against Hong Kong, 94-64, but head coach Tim Cone admitted they were surprised by the host team’s showing in the first half.

“We were quite surprised. I thought we came out a little tentative but in the second half, we kind of relaxed a little bit, played better, defended better, and [have] done a little bit of a run,” Cone said in a press conference on Thursday.

Fortunately, Filipinos in Hong Kong gave Gilas a boost.

“Our crowd helped us gain some momentum and we were lucky to get a run and take it through,” Cone added.

With Gilas playing in front of the home crowd at the Philsports Arena on Sunday night, the nationals eye another win, especially with Justin Brownlee being expected to play better.

“He’s the lifeblood of this team so we’re happy that he’s back and we think he’ll play better against Taiwan and as we go forward. He has that history, he has that pedigree already,” said Cone.

The Chinese Taipei team arrived in the country on Friday.

The Chinese Taipei National Basketball team has arrived at NAIA ahead of their match with Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. | via @jpsoriano, GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/a0EQS81Ft7

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) February 23, 2024

Chinese Taipei fell to New Zealand last Thursday, 89-69.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News