Justin Brownlee’s three-pointer with 24 seconds left on the clock turned the tables, giving the Gilas Pilipinas the lead to victory.
Gilas Pilipinas have reached the men’s basketball to final at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou for the first time in over three decades, securiing their victory over team China with 77-76 on Wednesday (October 4, 2023.
The Philippines will meet Jordan in the final, who defeated the Gilas in the tournament by a score of 87-62 after defeating Chinese Taipei in the other semi-final. The final is planned for 8 p.m. local time on Friday, October 6, followed by a bronze medal match between the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Taipei at 4 p.m.
The Gilas gradually gained momentum and scored 11 points to level the game at 15-15, with Scottie Thompson leading the game, but they still trailed 17-19 at the end of the first quarter.
Brownlee led the way for the Gilas with 33 points, while Scottie Thomson chipped in with 13 points and three assists.
However, the Philippines struggled to find their flow in the first quarter, allowing the home favourites to build a 15-4 lead in just four minutes.
In the second quarter, the momentum switched back to the home team. The Philippines enabled the hosts to grab control of the game due to untimely fouls and turnovers.
The Gilas then struggled to establish their rhythm and gave up ten points without responding, falling behind 30-48 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Filipinos came out strong, mounting a spirited comeback and outscoring the People’s Republic of China 20-14.
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