Gilas Pilipinas Opens FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Campaign with High-Stakes Clash vs Chinese Taipei
A Challenging Start in Jeddah
Gilas Pilipinas kicks off its highly anticipated campaign in the 31st FIBA Asia Cup with a tough matchup against a revamped Chinese Taipei squad at the King Abdullah Sports Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This group-stage opener marks the start of a crucial journey for the Philippines as they aim to reclaim regional basketball glory.
Set for 2:00 a.m. Wednesday (Manila time), the match carries added weight given Gilas’ previous loss to Chinese Taipei in the Asia Cup Qualifiers earlier this year, where they fell 91-84 despite a stellar performance by Justin Brownlee.
A Reinforced Chinese Taipei Squad
Unlike in the February encounter, Chinese Taipei now features US-based brothers Robert and Adam Hinton, both standout players from Ivy League schools in the United States. Head coach Tim Cone, who scouted them during the Jones Cup last month, acknowledged their impact, noting that Chinese Taipei only lost once in that tournament — against Strong Group Athletics of the Philippines.
“They actually dominated the Jones Cup,” Cone remarked. “They lost to Strong, but that’s the only game Taiwan lost.”
Alongside the Hinton brothers, Chinese Taipei brings back familiar and dangerous names: naturalized big man Brandon Gilbeck, dynamic scorer Mohammad Al Bachir, and sharpshooter Lin Ting-Chien. This combination poses a serious threat, making it clear that Taiwan’s earlier win over Gilas was no fluke.
“They definitely have the personnel. It wasn’t a fluke that they beat us,” Cone emphasized. “We really have to be prepared for them.”
Gilas Riding Momentum, but Cautious
The Philippine national team enters the Asia Cup on a positive note, having recently posted back-to-back wins in tune-up matches — a 103-98 victory over the Macau Black Bears in Manila, and a convincing 75-61 win against Jordan in Saudi Arabia.
However, Cone was quick to downplay past successes, stressing the importance of staying focused on the present.
“Right now what’s on our minds is Taiwan,” he said. “You have to get through them.”
A Tough Group D Lineup
Gilas Pilipinas is grouped in Group D alongside Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, and Iraq. After their opener, they will face New Zealand on Thursday at 11:00 p.m. (Manila time) and Iraq on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. (Manila time) — both games expected to test the team’s resilience and depth.
The Gilas Lineup: A Blend of Experience and Youth
Coach Cone’s 12-man roster is packed with talent, featuring a strong mix of veteran leadership and rising stars:
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Justin Brownlee
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June Mar Fajardo
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CJ Perez
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Scottie Thompson
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Japeth Aguilar
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Jamie Malonzo
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Chris Newsome
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Calvin Oftana
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Dwight Ramos
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AJ Edu
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Carl Tamayo
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Kevin Quiambao
This core group combines international experience with youthful energy, giving Gilas a solid foundation for a deep run in the tournament.
Chasing Glory: A Long Wait Since 1985
The Philippines last won the FIBA Asia Cup back in 1985, led by the legendary Northern Consolidated team. Since then, Gilas has come close — notably finishing runner-up in 2013 (Manila) and 2015 (Changsha, China) — but has struggled to reach the same heights in recent editions. In the 2022 tournament in Jakarta, the team placed a disappointing ninth.
As the 2025 edition begins, the road back to continental dominance starts with a critical first step against a confident and dangerous Chinese Taipei squad.