Gilas Pilipinas Smothers Guam, Opens World Cup Qualifiers With Dominant Road Win

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by Lou Reyes

Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee (32)
Gilas Pilipinas star Justin Brownlee (32). Photo: FIBA.

Gilas Pilipinas kicked off its 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign in emphatic fashion, steamrolling Guam, 87–46, in a defensive clinic Friday night at the Calvo Fieldhouse.

What started as a tight, test-the-waters opener quickly turned into a one-sided showcase once Gilas tightened the screws defensively. After a 17-all draw in the first quarter, the Philippines unleashed a furious 23-point second-quarter surge that cracked the game wide open and sent Guam scrambling for answers.

From there, the defense took over completely.

Tim Cone’s boys held Guam to just seven points in a brutal third period, suffocating every action, closing every lane, and dictating the pace on both ends. By the time the quarter buzzer sounded, Gilas had built a commanding 64-36 cushion — and the hosts never recovered.

“We knew we had to raise our level on defense,” Cone said after the win. “They’re disciplined, and we saw that in their Asia Cup games. But once we controlled the tempo, the game came to us.”

Justin Brownlee, fresh off his return to the national pool, once again showed why he remains Gilas’ most reliable option. The naturalized forward fired 22 points on a smooth, efficient clip while adding rebounds, assists, and the steady presence that calms the team in big moments.

Dwight Ramos added 10 markers, while AJ Edu patrolled the interior with eight points and eight boards.

San Miguel and Guam national team forward Jericho Cruz
San Miguel and Guam national team forward Jericho Cruz. Photo: FIBA.

Guam leaned heavily on PBA gunner Jericho Cruz, who tallied 17 points but struggled with six turnovers as Gilas’ pressure mounted. Tai Wesley added 12, but Guam’s 16 total turnovers spelled doom against a relentless Philippine side.

Both squads meet again on Monday — this time on Philippine soil at the Blue Eagle Gym — where Gilas aims to complete a strong opening window sweep in front of a home crowd hungry for more.