BASKETBALL – Justin Brownlee delivered when it mattered most, forcing overtime with a clutch three before the Philippines surged to a 95-88 win over hosts Saudi Arabia in the qualification to quarter-finals of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah yesterday.
The result pushed Gilas to a 2-2 record and secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face defending champions Australia.
Saudi Arabia’s campaign ended at 2-2, the hosts bowing out after falling short of their first top-eight finish since 2005.
Brownlee finished with a game-high 29 points on the back of three triples, adding five assists and four rebounds in a vintage all-around performance.
AJ Edu anchored the interior with 17 points, 11 rebounds and a block, while Kevin Quiambao made timely contributions in the extra period and finished with 17 points.
Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman kept Saudi Arabia in contention throughout, erupting for 33 points, eight triples, five rebounds and four assists in an amazing individual performance.
The Philippines looked in control early, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter through Brownlee’s shot-making, Edu’s presence in the paint and Quiambao’s scoring bursts.
But Saudi Arabia roared back in the second quarter, with Abdur-Rahkman drilling back-to-back threes and Musab Kadi adding another from deep as part of a 14-1 run that erased the deficit and briefly put the home side ahead.
Momentum swung again in the third period, with Mohammed Alsuwailem joining Abdur-Rahkman to give Saudi Arabia the edge for much of the frame.
Gilas steadied in the closing seconds, with Scottie Thompson’s late drive putting them back in front 60-59 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth was a tense, seesaw battle. Abdur-Rahkman’s seventh triple and a Marzouq Almuwallad corner three stretched the hosts’ lead to six inside the final minutes, but Brownlee and Edu led the response.
After Alsuwailem’s putback with eight seconds left made it 79-76, Brownlee rose over Almuwallad for a contested game-tying triple, sending the crowd into disbelief and forcing overtime.
Extra time was all Gilas. Quiambao opened the scoring with a three and added another minutes later, while Ramos and Brownlee extended the gap. Edu’s dagger triple under a minute to play sealed the win.
Next, Philippines face a stern test against the Boomers. With Brownlee in form, Edu controlling the glass and key role players stepping up, they will aim to carry their clutch poise from Jeddah into the last eight.
Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 78-64 win over Jordan.
The result improved Taipei’s record to 3-1 and set up a last-eight clash with Group B winners Iran.
Jordan saw their campaign end with a 1-3 record.
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