JUSTIN Brownlee saved the day once again, sending the game into overtime with a clutch three before Gilas Pilipinas outlasted Saudi Arabia, 95-88, on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of Fiba Asia Cup 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
In true ‘never say die’ fashion, Brownlee knocked down a three-pointer from the left wing over Marzouq Almuwallad with 3.7 seconds left to tie the game at 79-all and cap Gilas' comeback from a 71-77 deficit with 1:24 left in regulation.
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That classic JB moment - no different to the clutch treys he hit in Gilas' run to the Asian Games gold medal in 2023 - brought Gilas back to life after being left of the verge of elimination by the duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem.
Brownlee got help from Kevin Quiambao and Dwight Ramos in overtime as Gilas silenced the home crowd and punched a ticket to the quarterfinals where they are going to face two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday.
Cheers from the Saudi home crowd were replaced by chants of 'Brownlee, Brownlee' from Filipino fans at the final buzzer following another heroic performance from the beloved naturalized player.
Brownlee finished with 29 points on 11-of-16 from the field. He also hit 3-of-5 from threes - none bigger than the one he hit in the final seconds of the fourth quarter that rescued the hopes of a basketball-loving nation yet again.
Quiambao added 17 points including a three-pointer with 2:01 left in overtime to give Gilas a 90-81 lead. AJ Edu contributed 17 points in a performance he capped with a surprise three for a 93-84 advantage with 52 seconds left to seal the win.
Ramos contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds including a follow-up to open a 6-0 blast for Gilas Pilipinas in overtime.
Things looked doomed for Gilas Pilipinas after Abdur-Rahkman hit one three-pointer after the other in the second half and Alsuwailem dominating the paint. Alsuwailem scored a lay-up to give Saudi Arabia a 77-71 lead, its biggest of the game, with 1:33 left in regulation.
The host country was still ahead, 79-76, with 8.4 seconds left after Alsuwailem scored on a follow-up off an airball three by Abdur-Rahkman to beat the shotclock buzzer, only for Brownlee to wipe that lead with that trey.
Abdur-Rahkman had 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from threes, one less than his output during the entire group stage, while Alsuwailem had 26 points and 14 rebounds but Saudi Arabia still fell short.
The scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15; 40-37; 60-59; 79-79; 95-88.
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