Philippine team triumphs over Saudi Arabia in overtime, securing passage to FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals.
The Philippines' journey in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 took an exciting turn as they secured a thrilling victory in the qualifier round against Saudi Arabia, only to face a tough defeat in the quarterfinals against Australia.
In the qualifier match, Justin Brownlee shone brightly, scoring a game-high 29 points. His clutch three-pointer with 8.4 seconds left on the clock sent the game into overtime, where the Philippines eventually emerged victorious, 95-88. Kevin Quiambao also played a crucial role, scoring 17 points and igniting the team's overtime victory. AJ Edu contributed 11 rebounds, while Brownlee added 5 assists and 4 rebounds to his tally.
However, in the quarterfinals against Australia, Brownlee's performance was limited. He scored 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting, but the Australians dominated the match, resulting in a 84-60 loss for the Philippines. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman finished with a impressive 33 points and eight triples for Saudi Arabia.
Despite the difficulties faced during the matches, the Filipinos managed to win their second game in four matches in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. Brownlee's history of making big shots in crucial moments was evident in his performance against Saudi Arabia, but the Australian defence proved too strong in the quarterfinals.
Coach Tim Cone praised Brownlee for his game-winning shot in the qualifier match, acknowledging the key role it played in securing the Philippines' place in the quarterfinals. As the team prepares for future matches, they will undoubtedly look to Brownlee for more heroics and strive to overcome the challenges they faced in the quarterfinals against Australia.
The Filipinos will now face Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. It remains to be seen if they can turn the tables and secure a victory against their formidable opponents.
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