Gilas Pilipinas for once started off like a house on fire, building a double-digit early lead with some surprising full-court pressure en route to a 95-71 victory over Guam on Monday night at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym. The win gave the Philippines a clean sweep of its first window in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Early dunks from Justin Brownlee and Dwight Ramos highlighted Gilas Pilipinas’ 17-3 opening salvo that all but took the fight from Guam. In all, the national team fired 10-for-15 in a scintillating 32-15 first quarter as they relentlessly attacked the basket, where they had nine of their makes.
Guam Shows Some Fight
Guam, though, didn’t capitulate that easily, coming alive in the second quarter and actually outscoring Gilas, 21-18, behind 11 points from reigning PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP Jericho Cruz. Guam continued to stay in step with Gilas Pilipinas in the third, again with Cruz leading the way, and even got to within 10 a couple of times.
Despite Guam’s best efforts, Gilas Pilipinas just proved too good in the end as the nationals closed the show in style with a 23-16 fourth quarter to complete the window 1 sweep as powerhouse Australia and New Zealand loom on the horizon.
Justin Brownlee once again led Gilas Pilipinas with all-around numbers of 20 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Dwight Ramos added 19 points and 7 rebounds, Kevin Quiambao chipped in 12 points and 5 assists, and Quentin Millora-Brown had 9 points and 9 boards.
Japeth Aguilar Gets Honored in Final Gilas Pilipinas Game
Prior to the game, FIBA honored longtime national team member Japeth Aguilar with a farewell tribute before what was likely his final game as part of Gilas Pilipinas. The 6-foot-9 veteran was part of the original Gilas Pilipinas way back in 2009 and has since been a fixture for the Philippines in international competitions, playing in three FIBA World Cups and in countless other tournaments.
In 81 games for Gilas in FIBA competition, Aguilar averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds. Perhaps fittingly, he got the start on Monday against Guam and chipped in 3 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal in 10 minutes of burn.
