GILAS Pilipinas will vie for a sweep of Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers when it faces Hong Kong at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The celebrated men’s basketball team is coming off a high when it outlasted world No. 22 New Zealand, setting the stage for the chance at formalizing its entry to the tournament proper next year.
Here’s a preview of Sunday’s match-up.
Philippines vs. Hong Kong
When: Sunday, November 24. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mall of Asia Arena
Ticket to FIBA Asia Cup
Gilas is a win away from clinching a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and they can do so with a win against Hong Kong.
The Philippines is in first place in Group B with a 3-0 win-loss record thanks to a 93-89 victory vs. New Zealand, its first-ever win over the Tall Blacks in FIBA history. A win by New Zealand over Chinese Taipei on Monday will then further cement Gilas’ place in the August 5-17 competition.
Gilas not taking it easy
The Philippines is definitely an overwhelming favorite in this match-up, as Hong Kong remains winless in three games, just having dropped an 85-55 decision to Chinese Taipei last Thursday.
The Nationals also won over Hong Kong, 94-64, in their February match-up.
But even prior to entering the Inspire Sports Academy for its training camp, head coach Tim Cone said he intends to remind his boys not to take Hong Kong lightly.
“We are going to be probably the favorites, maybe even heavy favorites, against Hong Kong, but we certainly can’t take Hong Kong for granted,” said Cone.
HK players to watch
A familiar face for Hong Kong is Duncan Reid, who played for the Bay Area Dragons in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Reid is averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Hong Kong during the Asia Cup qualifiers.
Oliver Xu is also a man to watch for Hong Kong, as he is also posting 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
Defending the three-point shot
Cone was impressed with the 18 three-pointers that New Zealand converted in Gilas' win, and he definitely doesn’t want a repeat of that shooting display against Hong Kong, which made more threes in their first encounter with 10.
The Philippines must also not allow Hong Kong to dominate the boards. Even with the loss last Thursday, Hong Kong still had more rebounds, 41-39, against Chinese Taipei.
Are KQ, Amos seeing action?
Sunday could be an excellent opportunity for Kevin Quiambao and Mason Amos to play for Gilas, as the two La Salle Green Archers were a DNP in the win over New Zealand.
And this early, there are fans who are clamoring for exactly that to happen.
Quiambao was on the floor against Hong Kong during their February match-up, where he had 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, Quiambao’s future La Salle teammate Amos hasn’t seen action for this current iteration of Gilas since being elevated to the active roster, and Sunday could be an opportunity for him to show what he can do in the national team.
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