Gilas Pilipinas sent off Japeth Aguilar in fitting fashion, overcoming Guam, 95-71, to complete a Window 1 sweep of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Monday evening, at the storied Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
After a decorated 16-year career with the Philippine men’s basketball team — highlighted by four championships, one silver-medal run, and two third-place finishes — Aguilar officially called time on his Gilas career.
The lone player in the original SMART Gilas Pilipinas roster was honored with a framed blue-colored jersey of the national team, which was handed out by Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Pato Gregorio before their wire-to-wire win over Guam.
Aguilar finished the game with three points, one steal, and one rebound in 10 minutes and 27 seconds of action.
With the win that signalled the end of an era, the Philippines continued to have a share of the top spot in Group A with three-peat FIBA Asia Cup champion Australia, which survived New Zealand 79-77 at the TSB Bank Arena earlier today.
“Very confident ako sa kanila. Malayo mararating sila. Kailangan supportahan lang natin sila [at] patuloy lang dapat ang pag-trust sa system at sa process. Sana maging healthy and buo yung core kasi hindi pa natin nakikita yung full potential nila. Abangan natin sila at supportahan natin sila,” the 6-foot-9 center said.
Unlike in Friday’s road game at Guam, Gilas avoided a slow start. The Philippines raced to a 22-6 start in the opening quarter before maintaining a 14-point, 50-36 lead by halftime.
San Miguel guard Jericho Cruz sparked a brief Guam surge in the third quarter with six straight points that cut the deficit to 53-44. However, Justin Brownlee steadied Gilas, erupting for 10 of the team’s final 19 in the frame to push the lead back to 72-55 entering the payoff period.
Guam once again threatened behind consecutive baskets by Cruz and Tai Wesley, but back-to-back inside hits by Brownlee and Quentin Millora-Brown restored an insurmountable 84-65 cushion with 3:34 left on the clock.
“It’s still a ways away, but we have our eyes on it. We know New Zealand pretty well, we played them a number of times. We played Australia in the Asia Cup, we know what’s ahead of us,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone said on the Philippines’ tough Window 2 schedule.
He went on, “We know that it’s not gonna be easy, but we hope that playing at home, that’s gonna make a difference for us.”
Brownlee powered the Philippines with 20 points on 5-of-8 shooting with seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block. Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos had a triumphant return to the Blue Eagle Gym, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
Kevin Quiambao added 12 points, five rebounds, one steal, and one block, while Chris Newsome — a former Blue Eagle as well — added 10 points and three assists.
Millora-Brown nearly tallied a double-double with nine points, nine rebounds, and one assist in just his second game with the Nationals. Junemar Fajardo had seven points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Gilas’ back-to-back wins give the Philippines a timely boost heading into a daunting Window 2. There, they’ll take on New Zealand on February 26 before a March 1 showdown with the Boomers — both on home soil.
On the other hand, Cruz once again led Guam in the losing effort with 27 points, three assists, two steals, and one block. Takumi Simon registered 23 points, five steals, four rebounds, and one block.
Jonathan Galloway registered a double-double effort of 10 points and 17 rebounds with three assists, one steal, and one block.
The Scores:
Philippines (95) – Brownlee 20, Ramos 19, Newsome 10, Millora-Brown 9, Fajardo 7, Thompson 5, Tamayo 4, Edu 4, Aguilar 3, Perez 2, Abarrientos 0.
Guam (71) – Cruz 27, Simon 23, Galloway 10, Wesley 5, Blas 4, Africano 2, Johnson 0, Calvo 0, Hechanova 0, Borja II 0, Osborn 0, Fegurgur 0.
Quarterscores: 32-15, 50-36, 72-55, 95-71.
