Gilas Pilipinas kicks off its 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday at 2 a.m. (PH time), eager to avenge a painful loss from the qualifiers earlier this year.
In that February matchup, Chinese Taipei stunned Gilas, 91-84, marking the Philippines’ first defeat to them since 2013. Key shooter Lu Chun-hsiang buried a late three-pointer to seal the win. Fortunately for Gilas, Lu is not on Taipei’s current Asia Cup roster, though US-based brothers Robert and Adam Hinton are expected to step up for the East Asian squad.
“They have the talent. That win wasn’t a fluke. We need to be ready,” said the Gilas camp.
Leading the charge for Gilas are Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, and June Mar Fajardo. They’re coming in with momentum after recent tune-up wins — a 103-98 comeback against the Macau Black Bears and a 75-61 victory over Jordan in Jeddah.
Other players on the roster include AJ Edu, Chris Newsome, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo. Fajardo and Calvin Oftana are also listed, though both sat out the Macau game as they recover from the PBA finals series.
The Philippines, ranked 34th in the world, is in Group D alongside Chinese Taipei (No. 73), New Zealand, and Iraq.
