Asian Games 2023: Gilas Pilipinas snares gold, ends Asiad cage title drought

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Gilas Pilipinas bagged the gold medal in the 2023 Asian Games men’s 5×5 basketball finals after bringing down the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led Jordan team, 70-60, at the at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center on Friday night, October 6, in Hangzhou, China.

Both teams were tied at halftime with the score at 31-all.

However, Justin Brownlee,Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana joined hands in the third quarter, allowing the Philippines to enjoy a 51-41 lead heading into the fourth. Gilas Pilipinas outscored Jordan, 20-10 in that period.

Gilas Pilipinas players celebrate after bagging the gold medal in men's 5x5 basketball at the 2023 Asian Games, bringing down Jordan, 70-60, on Friday night, October 6, in Hangzhou, China.
[photo credi: PSC-POC Media Pool] — Gilas Pilipinas players celebrate after bagging the gold medal in men’s 5×5 basketball at the 2023 Asian Games, bringing down Jordan, 70-60, on Friday night, October 6, in Hangzhou, China.
[photo credi: PSC-POC Media Pool]

Fadi Mustafa opened the scoring parade for Jordan in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer. Hollis-Jefferson took it from there but the Philippines also had its own answer to the planned uprising.

Calvin Oftana, Angelo Kouame and Scottie Thompson joined hands to counter the Jordan onslaught to make it a 10-point lead again, 60-50 with less than five minutes remaining. However, it was Kouame’s scrappy plays that made a difference.

The Jordanians struggled from there, including Hollis-Jefferson who missed shots – some from the charity stripe.

Brownlee once again led the Philippines with 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Kouame chipped in 14 markers and 11 rebounds for Gilas Pilipinas.

Hollis-Jefferson led Jordan’s losing cause with 24 points and 12 rebounds.