Dwight Ramos in action for Gilas Pilipinas in the November 2024 window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Qup Qualifiers. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas started its preparations for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers February window on the right track.
The Tim Cone-coached squad did so after they triumphed over Qatar in a come-from-behind 74-71 victory at the 2nd Doha International Cup, early Saturday morning at the QU Sports and Event Complex.
Dwight Ramos was solid for the Nationals, putting up 15 points with two rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block, and June Mar Fajardo followed with 12 markers on top of seven boards, two dimes, and a rejection.
Also standing out were Barangay Ginebra stars Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson, as the former posted 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while the latter scored the same amount with two dimes and one block.
The Philippines came down from 11 in the third, and then went on to erase a 66-58 deficit in the last period after Brownlee willed them to within three, 66-63, at the 5:01 mark.
Foreign stars hail competition, atmosphere in Manila Hustle 3x3
AJ Edu, who ended the contest with six points and 10 boards, then inched Gilas closer to one, 66-65, with a slam 18 seconds later, while Brownlee finally gave PH the lead a few minutes after, 70-69, with his own dunk.
A Tyler Harris deuce with under 30 seconds left brought Qatar to within one, 72-71, as Ramos previously extended Gilas’ lead to three before this, but that proved to be the last basket of the home bets.
Thompson iced the game through a pair of foul shots with only 16 ticks remaining, while Mike Lewis missed a three-pointer which would have sent the game to overtime.
Harris had 17 markers for Qatar, and Lewis followed with 15.
Still on the list of Gilas’ assignments in Qatar are Lebanon and Egypt. They will face Lebanon tonight, Manila time.
The Scores:
Gilas Pilipinas 74 - Ramos 15, Fajardo 12, Brownlee 10, Thompson 10, Quiambao 7, Edu 6, Perez 6, Oftana 3, Tamayo 3, Newsome 2.
Qatar 71 - Harris 17, Lewis 15, Ndao 9, Fouda 9, Seydou 9, Abbsher 7, Saad 3, Magassa 2, Dieng 0, Grantham 0, Avdic 0.
Quarterscores: 18-20, 38-40, 51-50, 74-71.