In front of a roaring home crowd, Gilas Pilipinas pulled off an incredible cardiac victory, overcoming an 18-point deficit to defeat Jordan in a thrilling clash at the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
Playing without naturalized star Justin Brownlee, the all-Filipino squad showcased grit, heart, and defensive lockdown down the stretch to pull off a sensational one-point victory.
🔑 Key Highlights: How the Game Unfolded
- Tamayo’s Early Spark: Carl Tamayo set the tone early in the starting lineup, attacking the paint and drilling key perimeter shots to keep Gilas grounded as Jordan established an early lead behind hot outside shooting.
- Erasing the 18-Point Hole: Jordan built a daunting 18-point cushion in the first half. However, head coach Tim Cone’s adjustments catalyzed a relentless second-half defensive press, turning turnovers into fastbreak points.
- High-Flying Above the Rim: Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, and Kevin Quiambao ignited the home crowd with transition dunks and baseline drives to grab Gilas' first lead of the contest.
- Clutch Clutch Quiambao: Trailing late in the 4th quarter, CJ Perez collapsed the defense and found Kevin Quiambao in the corner, who coolly drained a go-ahead three-pointer with just 11.7 seconds remaining.
- The Game-Winning Block: With Jordan driving for a last-second game-winner, Kai Sotto rose high to deliver a colossal rejection as time expired, sealing the win for the Philippines.
📽️ Game Overview & Key Moments
| Game Phase | Key Action |
|---|---|
| First Half | Carl Tamayo attacks Jordan's interior defense early. Jordan takes control with back-to-back 3-pointers. |
| Third Quarter Comeback | Gilas ignites a fastbreak run; Kevin Quiambao dunks to give Philippines its first lead. |
| Fourth Quarter Standoff | CJ Perez hits tough layups to trade leads back and forth in the final minutes. |
| The Game-Sealing Play | Kevin Quiambao hits the clutch corner 3-pointer, followed by Kai Sotto’s game-winning block at the buzzer. |
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