By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas showed no letup and completed a sweep of Guam, 95-71, to go 2-0 in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Blue Eagle Gym on Monday, Dec. 1.
The Nationals came out firing and built an early double-digit spread before doing just enough to fend off the brave fightback from the visiting team and pick up the all-important second win.
The victory, however, did not come without a scare as, after Gilas led by as many as 27 points, 47-20, in the first half, Gilas had to weather a searing second half from Guam behind Fil-Guamanian Jericho Cruz.
Timely hits from Chris Newsome, Dwight Ramos, Quentin Millora-Brown and Justin Brownlee, however, made sure that the Filipinos will be joining Australia atop the Group A standings with similar records.
The win also served as fitting retirement to Japeth Aguilar who played his last game for Gilas. He was honored at the start of the contest after spending 16 years with the national team.
Brownlee did a little bit of everything for Gilas, finishing with 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds to go with two steals a block. Ramos amply supported him with 19 points – none bigger than the breakaway dunk that put the Nationals up, 88-71.
Quiambao and Newsome both reached double-figures with the former chipping in 12 and the latter contributing 10 as the Nationals got the fitting followup to their 87-46 win over the same foe.
Cruz paced Guam with 27 points after spearheading a 24-6 run that allowed Guam to threaten Gilas, 44-53, midway through the third. Takumi Simon also finished with 23 points built on seven triples for the now 0-2 Guam.
