PASAY CITY, Philippines — Despite a spirited first half, Gilas Pilipinas suffered a tough 93-66 defeat at the hands of Australia during the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Sunday night, March 1, 2026.
The game, held at the Mall of Asia Arena, began as a tightly contested battle.
- Early Momentum: Gilas kept pace with the “Boomers” throughout the first two quarters, trailing by only one point (14-13) after the first period and heading into halftime down by just five points, 38-33.
- The Third Quarter Collapse: Australia broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Philippines significantly to build a 15-point cushion (68-53).
- Final Result: The Boomers continued their dominance in the final frame, eventually winning by 27 points. Australia remains unbeaten in the qualifiers.
- Gilas Pilipinas: Justin Brownlee led the way for the home team with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, showing a strong recovery after a difficult shooting night against New Zealand earlier in the week. AJ Edu also contributed solid minutes, including a highlight dunk in the third.
- Australia: Elijah Pepper was the star of the night, dropping a game-high 28 points and 7 rebounds, consistently hitting crucial triples whenever Gilas tried to mount a comeback.
Despite the loss and a previous 69-66 defeat to New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas has officially qualified for the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. This was made possible by New Zealand’s win over Guam earlier in the day, which ensured the Philippines a spot in the next stage regardless of the result against Australia.
Head coach Tim Cone emphasized that while they are moving forward, there are no “moral victories,” and the team must address their second-half execution issues before the next window begins.