FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers: Gilas gifts Tim Cone first dub after crashing Hong Kong

Tim Cone's four-year conquest began with a resounding victory.

The Cone-mentored Gilas Pilipinas claimed their first win in the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after beating Hong Kong by 30 points, 94-64, on Thursday, February 22, at the Tsuen Wan Stadium.

Naturalized Justin Brownlee led the nationals with 16 points on 6/12 shooting, including two three-pointers, alongside seven rebounds and seven assists, as the Philippines ensured a great start in their Group B campaign.

Brownlee came off from his three-month suspension following the doping controversy he was involved in during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the nationals ended a more than six-decade Asiad gold medal drought.

Reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao added 15 from 7-of-12 clip to go along with three rebounds and two assists, while Kai Sotto had a double-double performance of 13 markers, 15 boards, and two blocks for Gilas.

Jamie Malonzo churned out 11, Dwight Ramos listed nine points, six rebounds, and five assists, and Scottie Thompson dished nine dimes on top of five markers and two boards.

Gilas played unselfish basketball, proven by their 33 assists in contrast to Hong Kong's 12 only while crashing the boards with a 56-32 advantage – 18 of those were offensive, which they converted into 22 second chance points.

The paint proved to be the Southeast Asian side's territory, amassing 50 points from that area, while the bench almost tied the starters' production with 46 markers scored.

Just holding a slim 41-37 lead after the opening 20 minutes, the Philippines outscored the home squad, 30-9, to establish a 25-point gap entering the fourth, 71-46.

There was no looking back as Gilas sizzled until the final buzzer.

The Philippines tallied nine unanswered points in the first period before Hong Kong found its way back and kept it close.

Shiu Wah Leung sank five triples for 15 points, Oliver Xu chipped in 13, and Sui Hung Yeung and Duncan Reid contributed 12 markers apiece in a losing effort for Hong Kong.
Up next for Gilas is Chinese Taipei on Sunday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Cone and his wards seek to end the first window of Asia Cup qualifying unblemished.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, will deal with New Zealand at EventFinda Stadium in Auckland on the same date.