Gilas Pilipinas faces undefeated Australia in FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals

Justin Brownlee's clutch performance against Saudi Arabia during the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup was praised by Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, leading to a 95-88 victory on Tuesday night.

Brownlee averaged 20.6 points per game in the tournament and scored six points in the final minute of overtime against Saudi Arabia, while Kevin Quiambao also contributed significantly under pressure with his best performance coming against Australia in the quarterfinals.

Gilas Pilipinas will face two-time defending champion Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 7 pm Manila time, marking Cone's first encounter against the Boomers since their controversial brawl in 2018.

Australia enters the match with an undefeated record in Asia Cup competition from 2017 to 2022, while Gilas Pilipinas has staged a hosting of the 2023 World Cup and listed victories over powerhouses Latvia and New Zealand in 2024.

Despite the odds being against them, Cone says that they are embracing the challenge of taking down Australia and will rely on their supportive fans to elevate their game.