Gilas rallies to beat China, advances to Asian Games gold medal match
FILE–Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas came back from 20 points down to stun host China, 77-76, on Wednesday night to advance to the final of the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball tournament.
The Nationals got to work in the final period behind the heroics of the beloved naturalized forward Justin Brownlee, who hit the go-ahead step-back triple with 24 ticks left at Hangzhou Olympic Centre Gymnasium.
The Philippines thus moves on to battle Jordan and Ronade Hollis-Jefferson again for the gold medal this Friday.
Scottie Thompson had 13 points, while June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez added 8 each in the effort that assures the Philippines at least a silver in the continental showpiece.
This is the first podium finish for the national program in the Asian Games since the 2002 edition of the meet.
