05/08/2025                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            ๐ FIBA Asia Cup 2025: Gilas Pilipinas Outgunned by Chinese Taipei in Physical Opener
Gilas Pilipinas opened their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a tough loss, falling 95-87 to a sharp-shooting Chinese Taipei squad early Tuesday morning (PH time). Despite winning the rebounding battle and bench points, the Philippines couldnโt shake off costly foul troubles and defensive lapses.
๐ต๐ญ Gilas Hindered by Whistles
Philippine key players were bogged down by foul woes โ Justin Brownlee fouled out in the 4th, while Chris Newsome and Scottie Thompson were forced to play cautious after picking up 4 fouls each. That opened the floodgates at the free-throw line for Taipei, who drained 27 of their 35 attempts.
๐ก๏ธ Defense Collapses Against Chenโs Hot Hand
Ying-Chun Chen was nearly unstoppable, torching the Filipinos with 34 points. Gilas struggled mightily in pick-and-roll defense, often leaving shooters open or getting beat on screens.
โจ Quiambaoโs Spark Off the Bench
One bright spot: Kevin Quiambao. After a slow first half, the rising star exploded for 17 points in just 17 minutes, giving Gilas a much-needed energy boost.
๐ Stats Snapshot:
Fouls: PHI 26, TPE 14
Free Throws: PHI 9/15, TPE 27/35
Turnovers: PHI 16 (gave up 18 pts), TPE 4
Rebounds: PHI 48, TPE 24
3PT Shooting: PHI 8/28, TPE 12/27
๐ฌ Coach Tim Cone: โWe were in panic mode from the start. But give credit to Taipei โ they made shots, played smart, and executed well.โ
โญ๏ธ Next Game:
๐ New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ
๐ August 7 โ 11PM PH Time
๐บ Live on One Sports and Pilipinas Live