Gilas Pilipinas is headed to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, and they can thank Justin Brownlee for it.
JB once again provided the heroics for the Philippines, making big play after big play when it mattered most to tow Gilas past Saudi Arabia, 95-88, in overtime on Tuesday morning. But it certainly didn’t come easy as the host team provided an inspired, gallant effort.
For the first time in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas actually started off well and did not trail after the first quarter. Behind Kevin Quiambao, who came off the bench to score 7 quick points, and Justin Brownlee, who had 5 of his own, Gilas raced out to a 25-15 lead—a stark departure from the nationals’ first three games when they couldn’t even breach the 20-point barrier.
But Saudi Arabia wiped out that 10-point lead in the second quarter behind some red-hot shooting from deep. Naturalized player Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, in particular, caught fire as he scored all 14 of his first-half points in the second canto—including 12 from beyond the arc—to lead the Saudis’ furious fightback that saw them take a 32-29 lead at one point.
Timely baskets by Quiambao and Brownlee, however, allowed Gilas to enter intermission still with the lead, 40-37.
Gilas, Saudi Arabia Put on a Back-and-Forth Show in Jeddah
Both teams went toe-to-toe in the third, with Abdur-Rahkman and 7-foot big man Mohammed Alsuwailem scoring all 22 of Saudi Arabia’s points—13 for the latter, who dominated the paint, and 9 for the former, who continued his hot shooting. Gilas, though, did just enough to end the third ahead, 60-59, thanks to Brownlee, Ramos, and June Mar Fajardo hitting key baskets.
The Saudis continued to be a two-man show in the fourth, with Alsuwailem proving unstoppable inside and Abdur-Rahkman picking apart Gilas’ perimeter defense. And with 1:33 left in regulation, it looked like that would be enough, as they led 77-71.
Justin Brownlee Saves the Day Again
With the Philippines all but out of it, magic suddenly happened.
Justin Brownlee, Gilas beloved naturalized player, split his charities off a foul from Mathna Almarwani, making the first and missing the second. He got the rebound off his own miss and drilled a step-back jumper to inch Gilas to within 77-74. A defensive stop later, AJ Edu then made it 77-76 with a difficult reverse lay-in. But Alsuwailem again answered for the Saudis, collaring Abdur-Rahkman’s airball and laying it in to give them a 79-76 lead with 8.4 seconds remaining in the fourth.
It was more than enough time for Magic Brownlee to conjure another magical moment, hitting a contested game-tying three with 3.7 ticks left. In need of one last defensive stand, Gilas bunkered down to work and forced Abdur-Rahkman to a desperation heaved that didn’t even come close.
Gilas Takes Over in OT
Given a new lease on life, Gilas pounced on the shell-shocked Saudis, scoring the first six points of overtime on a triple by Quiambao, and a free throw and layup by Dwight Ramos. Another KQ triple gave the Philippines a 90-81 lead—and it proved to be enough to put away the host team for good.
Brownlee finished with a team-high 29 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Quiambao and Edu chipped in 17 apiece, with the former also adding 2 assists and 3 steals and the latter finishing with 11 rebounds and 4 dimes. Ramos put up 13 markers and 10 boards.
Abdur-Rahkman led all scorers with 33 points highlighted by eight treys, while Alsuwailem had 26 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Marzouq Almuwallad was the only other Saudi to score in double digits with 10.
Justin Brownlee and his Gilas teammates will next face Australia on Wednesday with a spot in the semis at stake.
The Scores:
Gilas (95) – Brownlee 29, Quiambao 17, Edu 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo, 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Aguilar 0, Perez, 0
Saudi Arabia (88) – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Almarwani Ma 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Almarwani Mo 1, Shubayll, 0
2025 FIBA Asia Cup: Gilas Outlasts Saudi Arabia, Books Seat in Quarterfinals vs. Australia
Gilas Pilipinas is headed to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, and they can thank Justin Brownlee for it.
JB once again provided the heroics for the Philippines, making big play after big play when it mattered most to tow Gilas past Saudi Arabia, 95-88, in overtime on Tuesday morning. But it certainly didn’t come easy as the host team provided an inspired, gallant effort.
For the first time in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas actually started off well and did not trail after the first quarter. Behind Kevin Quiambao, who came off the bench to score 7 quick points, and Justin Brownlee, who had 5 of his own, Gilas raced out to a 25-15 lead—a stark departure from the nationals’ first three games when they couldn’t even breach the 20-point barrier.
But Saudi Arabia wiped out that 10-point lead in the second quarter behind some red-hot shooting from deep. Naturalized player Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, in particular, caught fire as he scored all 14 of his first-half points in the second canto—including 12 from beyond the arc—to lead the Saudis’ furious fightback that saw them take a 32-29 lead at one point.
Timely baskets by Quiambao and Brownlee, however, allowed Gilas to enter intermission still with the lead, 40-37.
Gilas, Saudi Arabia Put on a Back-and-Forth Show in Jeddah
Both teams went toe-to-toe in the third, with Abdur-Rahkman and 7-foot big man Mohammed Alsuwailem scoring all 22 of Saudi Arabia’s points—13 for the latter, who dominated the paint, and 9 for the former, who continued his hot shooting. Gilas, though, did just enough to end the third ahead, 60-59, thanks to Brownlee, Ramos, and June Mar Fajardo hitting key baskets.
The Saudis continued to be a two-man show in the fourth, with Alsuwailem proving unstoppable inside and Abdur-Rahkman picking apart Gilas’ perimeter defense. And with 1:33 left in regulation, it looked like that would be enough, as they led 77-71.
Justin Brownlee Saves the Day Again
With the Philippines all but out of it, magic suddenly happened.
Brownlee split his charities off a foul from Mathna Almarwani, making the first and missing the second. He got the rebound off his own miss and drilled a step-back jumper to inch Gilas to within 77-74. A defensive stop later, AJ Edu then made it 77-76 with a difficult reverse lay-in. But Alsuwailem again answered for the Saudis, collaring Abdur-Rahkman’s airball and laying it in to give them a 79-76 lead with 8.4 seconds remaining in the fourth.
It was more than enough time for Magic Brownlee to conjure another magical moment, hitting a contested game-tying three with 3.7 ticks left.
Gilas Takes Over in OT
Given a new lease on life, Gilas pounced on the shell-shocked Saudis, scoring the first six points of overtime on a triple by Quiambao, and a free throw and layup by Dwight Ramos. Another KQ triple gave the Philippines a 90-81 lead—and it proved to be enough to put away the host team for good.
Brownlee finished with a team-high 29 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Quiambao and Edu chipped in 17 apiece, with the former also adding 2 assists and 3 steals and the latter finishing with 11 rebounds and 4 dimes. Ramos put up 13 markers and 10 boards.
Abdur-Rahkman led all scorers with 33 points highlighted by eight treys, while Alsuwailem had 26 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Marzouq Almuwallad was the only other Saudi to score in double digits with 10.
Justin Brownlee and his Gilas teammates will next face Australia on Wednesday with a spot in the semis at stake.
The Scores:
Gilas (95) – Brownlee 29, Quiambao 17, Edu 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo, 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Aguilar 0, Perez, 0
Saudi Arabia (88) – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Almarwani Ma 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Almarwani Mo 1, Shubayll, 0
