Gilas defends home, sweeps Guam for rousing start in FIBA World Cup qualifiers

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Justin Brownlee leads a balanced offensive attack as the Philippines improves to 2-0 to gain a share of the lead in Group A with Australia

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas completed an opening-window sweep of Guam in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers following a resounding 95-71 home rout at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym on Monday, December 1.

Justin Brownlee led a balanced offensive attack with 20 points to go with 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals as the Philippines improved to 2-0 to gain a share of the lead in Group A with Australia. 

Hosting the Guamanians this time after scoring a dominant 87-46 win on the road last Friday, November 28, the Filipinos went on a 22-6 run within the first six minutes then cruised the rest of the way.

Dwight Ramos backstopped Brownlee with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals, scoring 8 of his total output in that blazing start.

The Philippines’ lead swelled to its biggest at 47-20 off a Quentin Millora-Brown basket before Guam slowly worked its way back into the game, cutting its deficit to single digits at 44-53 following a Jericho Cruz foul shot. 

But Brownlee restored order as he knocked down a pair of three-pointers that pushed their advantage to 68-54 with a little over a minute left in the fourth quarter.

The win was a fitting sendoff for veteran forward Japeth Aguilar, who played his final game for the national team after being in service for over a decade, representing the country in three World Cup editions.

A starter for head coach Tim Cone, the 38-year-old Aguilar tallied 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal in 10 minutes of action. 

Gilas resumes its campaign in the February-March window, where it will face New Zealand and Australia in a pair of home games. – Rappler.com