Gilas Pilipinas heads to Asia Cup in high spirits after comeback win vs Macau

MANILA, Philippines, July 29 ------ Even without some of its best players, Gilas Pilipinas showed its readiness for the FIBA Asia Cup. Justin Brownlee waxed hot in the fourth quarter to steer the Philippines to a come-from-behind 103-98 win over the Macau Black Bears in its send-off game at the Araneta Coliseum.

Playing minus June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Oftana, the Nationals climbed their way out of a 21-point hole as they fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in high spirits largely thanks to Brownlee, who poured 15 of his 32 points in the final period. Brownlee knocked down 4 of his 5 three-pointers in the last frame and also finished with 15 rebounds and 5 assists.

Dwight Ramos supplied 19 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, while AJ Edu tallied 15 points for the Filipinos, who will travel to Jeddah on Wednesday, July 30, for the continental showdown set to start on August 5. Kevin Quiambao and Scottie Thompson added 15 and 10 points, respectively, as the Nationals spread the wealth to make up for the absence of Fajardo and Oftana, who rested after a grueling run in the PBA Philippine Cup finals. Former UP Fighting Maroons big man Quentin Millora-Brown had 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block for the visiting Black Bears.

Source: rappler.com