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Tag: Gilas Pilipinas

  • New-look Gilas 3×3 begin preparations for Asia Cup in Singapore 

    New-look Gilas 3×3 begin preparations for Asia Cup in Singapore 

    The Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3×3 team is shaping up for a fresh run at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, leaning on a mix of youth, talent, and experience as they fine-tune their game ahead of the April 1-5 tournament at Singapore’s OCBC Arena.

     

     Practices over the past two months have been intense, with a special emphasis on integrating the current national team core with seasoned 3×3 veterans.

     

    Helping mold the new-look squad are well-known 3×3 campaigners Juan Gomez de Liaño, Joseph Eriobu, and Dominick Fajardo, who, along with Robbie Herndon, spent weeks scrimmaging with the Gilas quartet of Jerrick Ahanmisi, Ralph Cu, Chris Koon, and Sean Alter. 

     

    Their presence provided the younger players with valuable exposure to high-level 3×3 play, bridging the gap between domestic league experience and international competition.

     

    Eriobu, a two-time Southeast Asian Games 3×3 representative and a mainstay of Purefoods in the PBA 3×3, shared the floor with Fajardo, who has suited up for NLEX in the same league. GDL, meanwhile, brings international experience from the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup. 

     

    The trio was specifically tapped by coaches Kirk Collier, Patrick Fran, and JJ Espanola to accelerate the team’s preparation and bring a competitive edge to the upcoming Asia Cup.

     

    Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy expressed gratitude to both the PBA and UAAP for loaning their players, noting that the collaboration is crucial for building a strong national 3×3 program. 

     

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    “We thank the leadership of the PBA and UAAP for allowing their players to represent the country in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup,” Dy said. “We know it really takes a community to build a strong program, and we’re very happy to get the commitment of many individuals who showed up for our team’s practices to share their knowledge and experience.”

     

    NLEX and MPTC governor Ronald Dulatre also highlighted the team effort behind the preparations, particularly for Fajardo and Herndon’s participation. 

     

    “We at MPTC and NLEX have always envisioned helping the national team. And when the SBP presented the possibility of us being involved in the men’s 3×3 program, we did not hesitate,” he said. 

     

    “We heeded the call from SBP President and PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas to renew the commitment to 3×3 in terms of hopes of making it to the Olympics.”

     

    With the mix of youth and veteran leadership, the new-look Gilas 3×3 squad aims to make a strong impression in Singapore while laying the groundwork for the team’s long-term vision, including potential Olympic qualification.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas names Men’s, Women’s rosters for FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup

    Gilas Pilipinas names Men’s, Women’s rosters for FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup

    Even with the PBA taking a brief pause for Holy Week, a different kind of national duty is about to take center stage.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas has officially named its men’s and women’s rosters for the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, with both squads set to carry the country’s hopes in Singapore as they try to improve on last year’s finish and make a stronger push on the continental stage.

     

    On the men’s side, the Philippines is banking on a group that blends pro-level shotmaking, backcourt creativity, and proven 3×3 familiarity. The quartet is made up of Ralph Cu of Barangay Ginebra, Chris Koon of Magnolia, Jerrick Ahanmisi of Terrafirma, and University of the Philippines big man Sean Alter.

     

    It is a roster that feels deliberately built for the unique demands of 3×3 basketball — fast decisions, open-floor versatility, and the ability to score in bursts. More importantly, all four players already have backgrounds in the format, giving the team a layer of chemistry and instinct that could matter in a compressed international tournament.

     

    Cu brings championship pedigree and familiarity with pressure situations, while Koon adds length and two-way activity from the perimeter. Ahanmisi, meanwhile, arrives as arguably the most explosive offensive weapon in the group, capable of changing games quickly with his shooting and shot creation.

     

    Alter gives the team a different look altogether. At 6-foot-9, the UP standout provides size, rebounding, and interior presence — an especially valuable piece in 3×3, where physicality and quick finishes around the basket often swing close contests.

     

    The men’s squad will be handled by coaches Kirk Collier and Patrick Fran, with the Philippines opening in Qualifying Draw A alongside Maldives and Thailand on April 2. If Gilas advances, it will move into Pool A with Mongolia and Chinese Taipei, both of which are already seeded directly into the main draw.

     

    That means the challenge for the men will begin immediately. There will be little room for slow starts, especially in a format where momentum can swing in a matter of possessions and one cold stretch can end a campaign early.

     

    Still, the roster signals a clear intent from the program: this is not just a participation group. It is a team designed to compete, score, and potentially surprise.

     

    The women’s side, however, may be carrying even more intrigue.

     

    Seeded fifth entering the tournament, Gilas Women will field a lineup of Afril Bernardino, Mikka Cacho, Kacey Dela Rosa, and Cheska Apag — a group that brings together experience, youth, and a growing track record in international 3×3 play. The Philippines is already slotted into Pool D, where it will await the winner of Qualifying Draw D featuring Tonga, Macau, and Maldives, with Australia also seeded in the same group.

     

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    What makes this women’s roster especially compelling is how well its pieces complement one another.

     

    Bernardino remains one of the pillars of Philippine women’s 3×3 basketball, bringing toughness, leadership, and a long history of delivering in FIBA competitions. Cacho adds speed, shotmaking, and familiarity with the international pace of play, while Dela Rosa gives the team length and inside presence that can be difficult for smaller lineups to handle.

     

    Then there is Apag, one of the younger names in the squad but already part of a rising wave in the women’s 3×3 program. Her inclusion reflects the steady pipeline the Philippines has been trying to build — not just for this event, but for the future of the format.

     

    That youth movement has already shown signs of promise. Dela Rosa and Apag were both part of the Philippines’ successful FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Asia-Pacific 1 campaign in Doha, where the women’s program booked a place in the 2025 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup. The team’s rise also helped push Gilas Women to a historic No. 14 in the world rankings, the highest ever for a Philippine 3×3 national team.

     

    That momentum makes this latest tournament feel bigger than just another Asia Cup appearance.

     

    Last year, Gilas Men finished 15th, while Gilas Women came agonizingly close to the podium before ending up fourth. Those results offered two different realities: one side still searching for a deeper breakthrough, and the other already proving it can contend with some of the best in the region.

     

    Now, both teams return with something to chase.

     

    For the men, it is about proving they can translate talent and pedigree into results in one of basketball’s most unforgiving formats. For the women, it is about taking another step in a program that has steadily become one of the country’s most promising international projects.

     

    And for Gilas as a whole, the message is clear. Even during a league break, national basketball never really stops.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee eyes dream backcourt as Jordan Clarkson weighs Gilas return

    Justin Brownlee eyes dream backcourt as Jordan Clarkson weighs Gilas return

    The idea alone feels like a glimpse into what could be Philippine basketball’s next great chapter.

     

    As Gilas Pilipinas looks ahead to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the conversation is no longer just about defending a gold medal—it’s about raising the ceiling. And at the center of that possibility is the potential pairing of two of the program’s most impactful figures: Justin Brownlee 

    and Jordan Clarkson.

     

    For Brownlee, the thought isn’t hypothetical—it’s something he’s already embraced.

     

    “Man, I think that’s great,” Brownlee said. “He’s obviously an incredible talent. He’s an NBA veteran. That’s something that can help the team tremendously.”

     

    Clarkson’s recent openness to returning to the national team has shifted the tone around Gilas’ future. His presence wouldn’t just add firepower—it would reshape how the Philippines stacks up against Asia’s elite.

     

    Brownlee knows exactly what that kind of player brings.

     

    “A one of a kind talent like him is hard to find,” he said. “I wish and hope it goes through. That would be great not only for the team, but for the country as well.”

     

    But this isn’t simply about assembling stars. It’s about timing, chemistry, and purpose.

     

    Gilas is still riding the momentum of its breakthrough gold medal run in Hangzhou, a victory that reestablished belief in the program. Yet within that success lies a bigger ambition—to prove that the Philippines can consistently compete, not just in Asia, but on the global stage.

     

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    That’s where the Brownlee-Clarkson tandem becomes more than just intriguing—it becomes strategic.

     

    Clarkson offers the kind of offensive dynamism that can tilt games instantly. Brownlee, on the other hand, has long been the steady force behind Gilas’ biggest wins, blending leadership with a knack for delivering in pressure moments. Together, they represent a balance of explosiveness and control—a combination few teams in the region can match.

     

    If it comes together, the pairing wouldn’t just strengthen the roster. It would redefine expectations.

     

    For now, it remains an idea—one that lives in conversations, in plans, and in the imagination of fans. But as momentum builds and decisions draw closer, that idea is starting to feel less like a dream and more like a direction.

     

    And if it materializes, Gilas Pilipinas won’t just be aiming to win again. It could be building something far more lasting.

     

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  • Arvin Tolentino keeps door open for Gilas 

    Arvin Tolentino keeps door open for Gilas 

    Given another shot at wearing the Philippine colors, Arvin Tolentino says he’s ready and available to do it.


    The 6‑foot‑5 gunner, now a key contributor for the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League has his club among the six squads advancing to the postseason that starts Wednesday at Studio City. 

     

    He said that if the call from the national team comes again, Tolentino makes it clear he’s eager to answer it.

     

    “It’s an honor. It’s a dream of mine to play for the national team,” said the 30‑year‑old forward, who already knows the system under national coach Tim Cone from his first three Philippine Basketball Association seasons with Barangay Ginebra.

     

    Tolentino’s national team resume is already decorated. He was part of the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s national basketball team squad that broke the country’s one‑year gold medal drought at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

     

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    He also helped the Philippines reclaim men’s basketball gold at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, competing under coaches Chot Reyes and Cone.

     

    Although he’s watching the current Gilas core compete in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which feature a competitive Group A that includes Australia, New Zealand and Guam, Tolentino said he’s fully behind his compatriots and believes they’ll give their best for the campaign.

     

    As he refers to teammates such as  Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, also excelling in Korea, he said “Whoever is playing for sure naman they’re give their 100 percent. And full support ako sa kanila.”

     

    Off the court, Tolentino has embraced life in South Korea while making adjustments on it. Since signing a multi‑year deal with the SK Knights after leaving the PBA, he’s been working to adapt to the KBL’s fast pace and team systems, even as his role varies from game to game.

     

    Tolentino now also has a chance to make history, aiming to become the first Filipino to win an EASL championship since Rhenz Abando captured the title with Anyang KGC during the 2023 Champions Week. But rather than feel the pressure, he stresses the importance of staying focused on his game.

     

    As his club pursues postseason success, Tolentino’s gaze remains on both domestic triumphs and renewed national pride, keeping the door open for another chapter in a career already marked by growth, resilience, and unflagging love for the game.

     

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  •  Gilas Pilipinas holds No. 36 in FIBA rankings despite tough World Cup Qualifier window

     Gilas Pilipinas holds No. 36 in FIBA rankings despite tough World Cup Qualifier window

    The recent home stand of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers may not have produced the results the team hoped for, but it did little to shake their position in the global rankings.

     

    Despite back-to-back defeats against two of Oceania’s basketball powerhouses, the Philippines remained at No. 36 in the latest FIBA world rankings released on March 3.

     

    Gilas endured a difficult second window in front of the home crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena, falling just short in a tight battle with New Zealand before suffering a lopsided loss to Australia days later.

     

    The Nationals were first dealt a heartbreaking 69-66 defeat by the Tall Blacks last Thursday, where the Filipinos stayed within striking distance throughout but ultimately could not close the gap in the final moments.

     

    Things became even tougher on Sunday as Australia asserted its depth and firepower, handing Gilas a 93-66 loss to cap the window.

     

    Even with the setbacks, the Philippines maintained its No. 36 ranking — the same position it climbed to in December 2025 following dominant victories against Guam in the previous qualifying window.

     

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    The latest update also saw minimal movement among Asia’s top basketball nations.

    Australia remained the highest-ranked team in the region, holding steady at No. 6 in the world, while Japan stayed firm at No. 22.

     

    New Zealand, meanwhile, edged up one spot to No. 24 after its recent performances, while China climbed to No. 26 in the rankings. Iran slipped slightly to No. 28.

     

    Lebanon, despite an emphatic 94-64 win over Saudi Arabia, dropped to No. 33 after its second scheduled game against India was postponed amid tensions in the Middle East.

     

    With the second window now in the books, Gilas Pilipinas will shift its focus to the third window of the qualifiers in July, where the Filipinos are set for another showdown against both Australia and New Zealand.

     

    The upcoming matches could provide the Nationals another opportunity not only to bounce back on the court but also to improve their standing in the world rankings.

     

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  • Juan Gomez de Liaño embraces Gilas return despite tough Window 2 losses 

    Juan Gomez de Liaño embraces Gilas return despite tough Window 2 losses 

    After a four-year wait, Juan Gomez de Liaño finally found himself back in a familiar setting — wearing the Gilas Pilipinas jersey and playing in front of a roaring home crowd.

     

    The long-awaited return, however, came with a difficult reality.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas absorbed consecutive defeats against New Zealand Tall Blacks and Australia Boomers during the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    While the results were far from ideal, Gomez de Liaño chose to focus on the bigger picture — the opportunity to represent the country again.

     

    “It’s really an honor to represent the Philippines. Two tough games, but I feel like it’s a learning experience. I think we’re just going to keep moving forward and continue to work together,” he told reporters after the 93-66 loss to Australia on Sunday.

     

    “I’m still happy for the guys. We fought hard to the end, but we fell short. So, on to the next,” Gomez de Liaño said.

     

    The 26-year-old guard showed flashes of his potential in Gilas’ narrow 69-66 defeat to New Zealand last Thursday. He finished with 10 points and two assists, knocking down a pair of three-pointers that helped keep the contest within reach.

     

     

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    His performance did not go unnoticed by national team head coach Tim Cone, who later described the former UP standout as a “special talent” and someone he believes can become a steady piece of the national program moving forward.

     

    Australia, however, presented a much tougher challenge in the rematch. Gomez de Liaño struggled to find his offensive rhythm and ended the game with four rebounds and two assists.

     

    “I think Australia just did a good job with their scouting report. They prepared a lot too so I give credit to them,” Gomez de Liaño said.

     

    Despite the two losses, Gilas still managed to secure passage to the next phase of the qualifiers after New Zealand defeated Guam in another group match.

     

    With a 2-2 record heading into the next stage, Gomez de Liaño and the national team will look to regroup before Window 3 in July — where they will once again square off with Australia and New Zealand in what promises to be another demanding stretch for the Filipinos.

     

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  • Gilas eyes Justin Brownlee-Bennie Boatwright tandem in Asiad title defense as Nagoya keeps passport-only rule

    Gilas eyes Justin Brownlee-Bennie Boatwright tandem in Asiad title defense as Nagoya keeps passport-only rule

    If the current guidelines remain untouched, Gilas Pilipinas may once again benefit from a crucial eligibility edge in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.

     

    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said it has not received any official notice of changes to the competition rules, meaning the passport-only policy used in the 2023 Hangzhou Asiad is still in effect.

     

    “Kaya nga nakapaglaro si Ange (Kouame) nun,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.

     

    That same provision previously allowed Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kouame to play together — a combination not permitted under FIBA rules, which limit national teams to just one naturalized player in sanctioned events.

     

    This time, the potential tandem could shift to Brownlee and Bennie Boatwright — provided Boatwright’s naturalization papers are officially signed before the September tournament.

     

    If the passport-only rule holds, both players could legally share the floor in Nagoya, giving Gilas a potent inside-out duo to defend its Asian Games crown.

     

    SBP remains cautiously optimistic but careful not to assume anything.

     

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    “As of now there’s no official advice about the change in rules. Ang alam namin passport-only rule ang allowed pa rin,” said Dy.

     

    The possibility doesn’t end there. With Mike Philips and Quentin Millora-Brown already recognized as locals by FIBA, Gilas could field one of its deepest Asian Games rosters in years.

     

    “Yes, both can play in the Asian Games,” Dy added.

     

    The passport-only rule was instrumental in the Philippines ending its 61-year drought in Hangzhou, where Gilas defeated Jordan in the final after a stunning semifinal comeback against China. Whether that same regulatory window remains open in Nagoya could once again shape the team’s championship blueprint.

     

    For now, SBP waits — and prepares — under the assumption that the rule that once unlocked history may still apply.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee stands by Tim Cone amid Gilas criticism 

    Justin Brownlee stands by Tim Cone amid Gilas criticism 

    The noise came quickly.

     

    After Gilas Pilipinas absorbed consecutive losses to New Zealand and Australia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, the spotlight swung hard toward one man — Tim Cone. And with it came the familiar debate: Is the triangle offense still fit for the modern international game?

     

    Justin Brownlee isn’t entertaining that conversation.

     

    For the naturalized forward who has won titles under Cone for nearly a decade with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the criticism feels premature — and misplaced.

     

    “The triangle is a little difficult to learn, but I think once you learn it, it can definitely benefit your offense, as far as getting you easy shots,” Brownlee said.

    In today’s global game, where pace-and-space principles dominate and quick-trigger threes are currency, Cone’s read-and-react system has been labeled by some as too deliberate. It demands spacing discipline, synchronized cuts, post reads, and instinctive reactions — elements that thrive on continuity.

     

    And that’s where the Gilas challenge lies.

     

    Unlike a PBA club that trains daily, the national team gathers in short windows. Chemistry must be built quickly. Timing must be rediscovered on the fly. Installing a layered system under those conditions is far different from refining it over months.

     

    “It’s kind of difficult maybe going from one offense and going to another offense to be fluent in it. But you also got to credit the other team that we played. You know, they’re really tough,” Brownlee said.

     

    Cone’s resume, however, speaks loudly. Twenty-five PBA championships. Decades of sustained success. A system that, when mastered, generates high-percentage looks without overreliance on isolation or repetitive ball screens.

     

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    For Brownlee, abandoning that identity after two losses would ignore a larger picture.

     

    “We got a lot of learning experience from those two games. Of course, we didn’t get to win and things didn’t go our way. But I think the experiences we got from the window is gonna be very helpful to carry it over into the next games with Australia, the next window,” he said.

     

    “And even after that, we take those over to the next teams we’ll face.”

     

    To him, the qualifiers are not a referendum — they are a process.

     

    And while public debate often centers on X’s and O’s, Brownlee frames it around trust.

    “Obviously, over the years I’ve been playing with coach Tim, he has done an incredible job coaching the triangle. And obviously, guys from Ginebra have put a lot of time in the triangle,” he said.

     

    “At the end of the day, coach Tim is a very brilliant coach. He’s been coaching the triangle for years. It ain’t no secret why he’s the best coach in the Philippines. You know, he’s got the championships, he’s got the accolades and everything to back it up.”

     

    As the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup approaches, Brownlee has already returned to Ginebra practices — back under Cone, back within the triangle’s familiar geometry.

     

    “I didn’t start practice yet, but I did go up to practice today. I just met with the team for a little bit, watched practice for a little bit, and then I’ll be back at practice tomorrow,” he said.

     

    The debate may continue outside the locker room. Inside it, Brownlee’s stance is clear: systems can be questioned. Résumés cannot.

     

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  • Kai Sotto to continue NBA dream amid Gilas Pilipinas duties 

    Kai Sotto to continue NBA dream amid Gilas Pilipinas duties 

    “It was never about money with Kai.”

     

    That firm declaration from Ricky Vargas cuts straight to the heart of the conversation surrounding Kai Sotto — a towering talent standing at a pivotal fork in his young career.

     

    At just 23 years old, Sotto has already logged 50 appearances for the Philippine national team, including 20 games at the senior level. For a player still carving out his professional path overseas, that résumé speaks volumes about commitment. Every tournament, every window, every call-up — he has answered. But timing, as always, complicates loyalty.

     

    Now suiting up for Koshigaya Alphas in Japan’s B.League, Sotto has been productive, averaging 11.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across eight games this season. Still, his comeback from the ACL injury he suffered a year ago remains a careful process, a recovery that forced him to miss Window 2 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers — not because he chose club over country, but because his body simply wasn’t ready.

     

    Window 3, however, presents a different kind of dilemma, where the obstacle is no longer health but opportunity.

     

    Despite going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Sotto has not abandoned his NBA aspirations, and two possible routes now sit in front of him. One is immediate and high-risk: auditioning in the NBA Summer League beginning July 6 — a schedule that overlaps with the July 3 and 6 FIBA window. 

     

    The other is longer but potentially steadier: enrolling in an NCAA Division I program, taking advantage of evolving amateurism rules that now allow players to compete in college as long as they have not signed an NBA contract.

     

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    The landscape has shifted in recent years, with former G League and European pros returning to the NCAA ranks, proving that the collegiate path is no longer reserved strictly for teenagers fresh out of high school. It has become a viable reset button — and perhaps even a launchpad.

     

    Sotto, of course, has never followed a conventional script. In 2020, he bypassed college entirely to join G League Ignite. From there, he took his game global — stints in Australia’s NBL with Adelaide, in Japan with Hiroshima and Yokohama, and now with Koshigaya. He even suited up for Orlando’s Summer League squad in 2023, each stop another attempt to inch closer to the NBA door.

     

    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas understands what’s at stake. If Sotto chooses the NCAA route after the B.League season, Gilas Pilipinas could be without him from November through March, an absence that would sting for a national program still building continuity toward major international competitions.

     

    Yet Vargas remains measured — and supportive.

     

    “Depende sa outcome sa pagsali niya sa eskwelahan. His plans are still towards going to the NBA. Pero kailangan natin siya. It’s hard to fault him because it’s not about the money; he wants to play (in the NBA),” said Vargas.

     

    “Playing for the country and sacrificing your dreams is notable. Going for your dream and representing the country is also notable. Both are correct.”

     

    In the end, Sotto’s situation is not a question of loyalty but a test of balance — between ambition and responsibility, between present duty and future promise. For a 7-foot-3 center who has already carried both expectation and flag, the next move may define not just his career, but how Philippine basketball navigates the intersection of global dreams and national pride.

     

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  • Boomers feel the love in Manila as rivalry turns the page

    Boomers feel the love in Manila as rivalry turns the page

    Eight years removed from one of the darkest chapters in international basketball, Australia’s return to Manila felt less like a grudge match and more like a long-awaited reset.

     

    When the Boomers stepped onto the floor at the Mall of Asia Arena for their latest clash with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, the reception was loud, passionate — and ultimately respectful. The ghosts of 2018 were still part of the narrative, but they no longer defined it.

     

    The last time Australia and the Philippines figured in a game that reverberated around the world, it was for all the wrong reasons. The infamous bench-clearing brawl during the 2019 World Cup qualifiers at the Philippine Arena resulted in 13 ejections and an 89-53 default victory for the Boomers — a flashpoint that became one of the most controversial moments in FIBA history.

    This time, the story was different.

     

    “It was a terrific atmosphere like there was a good FIBA regional game,” said Boomers coach John Peter Rillie after Australia’s commanding 93-67 victory.

     

    “Thank you to the Manila community for coming out and supporting the game the way we did.”

    The jeers came — as expected in a packed Filipino arena — but they were part of the theater, not hostility. After the final buzzer, applause followed. For the visiting Boomers, it signaled something bigger than a 27-point win: it was closure.

     

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    “Thanks for the hospitality. It’s a great atmosphere and all the guys enjoyed it. It was really fun to play in,” said guard Elijah Pepper, who poured in 28 points highlighted by five triples.

     

    “Thank you for the hospitality that we received here in the Philippines. It’s been a terrific couple of days for our group,” Rillie added. “And I’m happy my team play well as we did.”

     

    Only two players from the 2018 incident suited up this time — June Mar Fajardo and Nick Kay. Fajardo logged limited minutes, finishing with two points and a rebound, while Kay anchored Australia’s starting unit with eight points, eight boards, and an assist.

     

    Their presence served as a quiet reminder of how much has changed. What was once a rivalry inflamed by tension has matured into a competitive but composed matchup.

     

    Australia dictated the tempo from the opening tip, stretching the lead behind crisp ball movement and second-half outside shooting. Gilas absorbed its second straight loss in the window, but the larger takeaway extended beyond the scoreboard.

     

    The evening proved that while history can’t be erased, it can be reframed.

     

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