Justin Brownlee waxed sizzling as Gilas Pilipinas made historical past, finishing a comeback win towards host China, 77-76, on Wednesday to return to the Asian Games gold medal match for the primary time since 1990.
Gilas could have a rematch with Jordan and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson within the finals whereas China will tackle Chinese Taipei within the battle for bronze.
China turned issues round within the second interval, unleashing 29 factors whereas limiting the Philippines to simply 13 to take a cushty 48-30 halftime lead.
But Brownlee, who was held to simply six markers within the first half, pumped life again to Gilas within the third interval as he fueled a 13-7 run earlier than a triple from him lower the Philippines’ deficit to 10, 50-60.
He, nonetheless, missed two free throws that might probably have made it an eight-point drawback as China ended the body nonetheless up by double digit, 62-50.
Brownlee continued his torrid taking pictures within the fourth, waxing sizzling for 3 three-pointers coupled with a Kevin Alas bucket to slice the hole to simply 4 factors, 67-71.
But China has at all times discovered the required reply for each Gilas run as Du Runwang and Hu Jinqui despatched China to a 75-67 lead with 3:07 left.
With 58.1 ticks left, Brownlee sank a triple earlier than he soared over two defenders to bury the dagger, 77-76. China nonetheless had one full shot clock to fabricate a basket however Zhang Zhenlin missed out on his last try.
Brownlee detonated for 33 factors alongside 5 rebounds and 4 assists whereas Scottie Thompson chipped in 13 markers, eight boards, and three dimes.
Gilas defeated Iran within the quarterfinals, Qatar within the qualification for the qualis, and.
With the win, Gilas is assured of at the very least a silver medal within the Asian Games, the very best placement of the Philippines within the Asian Games for the reason that 2002 version in Busan the place it completed fourth.
Back in 1990, the Philippines fell to China, 90-76, to assert the silver medal.
Prior to the Asian Games stint, the Philippines gained over China within the 2023 FIBA World Cup, 96-75.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
