Justin Brownlee’s Heroics Lift Gilas to OT Win Over Saudi Arabia, Set Quarterfinal Duel with Australia

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by Raymund Tamayo

Justin Brownlee’s Heroics Lift Gilas to OT Win Over Saudi Arabia, Set Quarterfinal Duel with Australia
Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee. Photo: FIBA.

Justin Brownlee once again proved why he’s the heartbeat of Gilas Pilipinas, delivering another clutch performance to push the national team into the FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals.

Facing host nation Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday midnight, August 12 in Manila), the Filipinos pulled off a thrilling 95-88 overtime victory to book a last-eight showdown with reigning two-time champion Australia.

With the game slipping away, Brownlee rose to the occasion. Gilas trailed 77-71 with just over a minute left in regulation, but the veteran swingman spearheaded a late rally. Scoring six of the team’s final eight points, he tied the game with a cold-blooded three-pointer over Marzouq Almuwallad with 3.7 seconds remaining, forcing an extra period.

Brownlee ended the night with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, carrying the squad when it mattered most. His timely heroics ignited Gilas’ momentum heading into overtime.

The Filipinos wasted no time seizing control in the extra frame. Kevin Quiambao opened the scoring burst with back-to-back triples in a 12-2 run that pushed the lead to 90-81. AJ Edu then buried the dagger from long range for a 93-84 cushion with under a minute left.

Kevin Quiambao led Gilas in the extra period.
Kevin Quiambao led Gilas in the extra period. Photo: FIBA.

Edu finished with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, along with four assists, while Quiambao matched his scoring output with 17 points, adding three steals and three assists. The young duo’s composure under pressure perfectly complemented Brownlee’s leadership.

Saudi Arabia’s dynamic pair of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem had been nearly unstoppable for most of the game. Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points, including eight three-pointers, while Alsuwailem posted 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. However, Gilas’ defense clamped down in overtime, holding them to just five combined points in the final five minutes.

Gilas big man AJ Edu roars during the game against Saudi Arabia. Photo:
Gilas big man AJ Edu roars during the game. Photo: FIBA.

The victory was a statement for Gilas Pilipinas, which missed the quarterfinal stage in the 2022 edition of the tournament. This time, they refused to let the opportunity slip, weathering the home crowd and a hot-shooting opponent to secure their place among Asia’s best.

With Brownlee leading the charge and the team’s young guns showing they can deliver in crunch time, Gilas will now shift focus to their biggest test yet — a quarterfinal clash against powerhouse Australia on Wednesday, August 13.