BASKETBALL

Gilas Pilipinas’ journey in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup has concluded following a decisive 84-60 defeat to Australia in their quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday at the King Abdullah Sports City. The lopsided loss brings an end to what was a rollercoaster tournament for the Philippine team under coach Tim Cone.

Australia asserted its dominance early, establishing a 29-12 lead in the first quarter powered by torrid shooting from beyond the arc. The Boomers connected on an impressive seven of their 11 three-point attempts in the opening period, a gap from which Gilas was unable to recover.

Jaylin Galloway, Xavier Cooks, and Owen Foxwell led the charge for the Boomers. Galloway and Foxwell each contributed 15 points, while Cooks was a force on both ends of the court, finishing with 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. This victory extends Australia’s unbeaten streak in the continental tournament to 16 games since their debut in 2017, securing their spot in the semifinals.

For Gilas, Kevin Quiambao and Dwight Ramos provided some of the few highlights. Quiambao was a bright spot, scoring 17 points on five three-pointers, concluding a tournament that could be a significant stepping stone for his future with the national team. Ramos added 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Australian defense effectively contained Justin Brownlee, whose clutch three-pointer had forced overtime in the previous qualification game against Saudi Arabia. Brownlee was held to 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field.

Australia’s early surge included a 13-4 start, fueled by three early triples from Galloway, and they extended their lead to 24-8 in the first quarter. The Boomers maintained their control, heading into halftime with a 48-28 advantage and extending their lead to a game-high of 26 points in the second half. The Philippine team was unable to replicate the determined performance that led to their qualification for the quarterfinals.