In an update from the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball tournament held in Hangzhou, China, Gilas Pilipinas is determined to secure their second consecutive win as they face off against Thailand. This critical match is a pivotal step towards securing a direct spot in the knockout quarterfinals. The Filipino team, led by interim coach Tim Cone, made a spectacular debut in the 5×5 competition, overpowering Bahrain with an impressive score of 89-61. Now, they are poised to build on their initial success against traditional Southeast Asian rivals, Thailand.
On Thursday, September 28, at 11 a.m., all eyes will be on Gilas Pilipinas as they attempt to extend their winning streak. CJ Perez, one of the recent additions to the team, played a key role in orchestrating Gilas’ dynamic offense. He contributed 15 points to the scoreboard, shooting an impressive 4-of-5 from two-point range, while also making significant contributions in steals, rebounds, and assists.
The Philippines boasts a formidable lineup that includes naturalized players Ange Kouame and Justin Brownlee. In their previous match against Bahrain, these two giants dominated the court. Kouame, standing tall at 6 feet 10 inches, scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Brownlee displayed a remarkable double-double performance with 14 points and 10 boards.
Thailand, on the other hand, had a challenging start to their Asian Games campaign, suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Jordan with a final score of 97-63. Despite the efforts of their experienced players, Tyler Lamb and Freddie Lish, who managed to contribute 11 and 13 points, respectively, the Thai team struggled with their shooting accuracy, going 9-of-33 from the floor.
Notably, the Philippines and Thailand did not cross paths in the 2023 SEA Games men’s basketball tournament held last May. Their most recent encounter was during the 2022 SEA Games edition in Vietnam, where the Philippines had to stage a remarkable comeback from a 10-point deficit to secure a narrow victory of 76-73 during the group stage.
Coach Tim Cone has only faced Thailand once during the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, where Gilas Pilipinas convincingly defeated the Thai team with a score of 118-81, ultimately clinching the gold medal.
For Gilas Pilipinas, a triumph in this crucial match against Thailand will provide significant momentum as they prepare to face the title favorites, Jordan, in their final Group C match on Saturday.
In the tournament’s format, each team is required to play a single game against their group opponents. The team that finishes atop their group advances directly to the knockout quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the second and third-ranked teams in each group will face counterparts from other groups, with the victors also progressing to the quarterfinals.
Team Jordan and Team Philippines have kicked off their campaign in Group C of the 19th Asian Games with impressive victories. Gilas Pilipinas’ upcoming schedule in Hangzhou, China includes a match against Thailand on September 28 at 11:00 AM and a clash with Jordan on September 30 at 5:30 PM.
Stay tuned for the exciting showdown between Gilas Pilipinas and Thailand as they battle it out for supremacy in the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball competition.
- Gilas Pilipinas Overcomes Roster Challenges Ahead of Asian Games Opener
- Chot Reyes Apologizes as Gilas Pilipinas Faces FIBA Disappointment
- Gilas Pilipinas Aims to Make History in Front of Home Crowd 45 Years After Hosting World Cup
- Meet the Philippine Gilas Pilipinas Fiba World Cup 2023 Pool
- Gilas Women Embark on a Journey to Australia for FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023