GILAS Pilipinas looks to bounce back on Sunday when it faces Australia at the close of Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The Nationals lost to New Zealand, 69-66, last Thursday, and face a much tougher foe in the Boomers in their first clash at home since the infamous 2018 brawl at the Philippine Arena.
Here is a preview of the contest.
PHILIPPINES VS. AUSTRALIA
When: Sunday, March 1. 7:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Gilas tries to hand Boomers their first defeat
Gilas is out to deal Australia its first loss of the qualifiers. The Boomers - ranked No. 6 in the world - defeated Guam, 93-80, last Thursday to improve to a 3-0 win-loss record, sealing their place in the second round.
How will JB bounce back against the Boomers
Justin Brownlee had one of his worst games in a Gilas uniform when he was held to four points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field. He missed all four of his three-point shots as the Tall Blacks made an effort to stifle the Gilas naturalized player. Expect the Boomers to do the same against Brownlee.
Boomers not in their usual form vs. Guam
Australia may have won over Guam, but didn’t play the basketballthat fans are used to from the Boomers. The team is about to get some help with veteran Mitch Creek giving the Boomers a boost after not playing against Guam due to visa reasons.
Solid outing by AJ, QMB against Tall Blacks
Gilas bigs were tested during their game against New Zealand, and they did well despite the defeat. AJ Edu hauled down 11 rebounds in the face of the physical Tall Blacks, while Millora-Brown had six boards to go along with his seven points. Australia is expected to be just as physical so Edu and Millora-Brown must continue to hold their ground.
Hope for Gilas to knock down threes
Gilas Pilipinas only made 19 percent from threes,hitting just seven of their 37 shots from the outside in the loss to New Zealand. Brownlee missed all of his threes, with Dwight Ramos, despite topscoring for Gilas, shot only 1-of-10 from the outside.
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