Philippines’ MANILA Gilas Pilipinas produced a spectacular comeback and stunned host China on Wednesday night, 77-76, to advance to the finals of the men’s basketball competition at the 19th Asian Games. Justin Brownlee went on a personal shooting rampage at crucial moments.
When the Nationals needed a field goal the most, Brownlee erupted for three consecutive, the final two of which were three-pointers that stunned the fervently supportive audience at the HOC Gymnasium in Hangzhou.
With 23 seconds left, Brownlee made his second 3-pointer, going over two Chinese defenders.
China’s next possession involved passing the ball about before Zhang Zhenlin was located. Zhang Zhenlin faked from 3-point range and pulled up from the two-point line but missed.
As time ran out, Gilas grabbed the rebound and flung the ball up.
The Nationals trimmed the deficit to four points, 71-67, with 4:34 left in the game after a Kevin Alas basket, after falling down by as much as 20 points in the second half, 46-26, following a split from the free throw line by China’s Jinqiu Hu.
But after a 3-pointer by Runwang Du and a 2-pointer by Hu, China scored five straight baskets to grab the lead with 3:07 left in the game, 76-67.
With 1:31 remaining in the game, a floater by Brownlee and a 2-pointer by CJ Perez trimmed China’s lead back down to five points, 76-71.
Then Brownlee made the astounding back-to-back treys.
Except for nine seconds, the renowned Ginebra import played the entire game.
He grabbed five rebounds, made four assists, and scored 33 points, including seven 3-pointers.
China’s top scorer, Rui Zhao, had 18 points and 6 assists.
Gilas will therefore face Jordan in the finals, which are set for 8 p.m. on Friday, October 6 (Manila time), after Jordan defeated them in group play.
China, who had previously dominated Asian basketball, was dethroned by the current Gilas team, which was formed just weeks before the Asiad.
The Philippines will compete in the Asiad finals for the first time since the 1990 Games, which were also hosted in China, when they face Jordan on Friday.
The Philippines came in second place there, trailing the hosts.
The Philippines’ guaranteed silver medal at this year’s Asiad is a first since 1998, when the ballers—who, oddly enough, were also led by Tim Cone’s current mentor—took home the bronze.
