Gilas Pilipinas saw their spirited FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign come to an end after an 84-60 quarter-final defeat to defending champions Australia at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Kevin Quiambao led the charge for the Philippines with 17 points, including five three-pointers, and 4 rebounds. Dwight Ramos followed with 15 points and 7 boards, while naturalized forward Justin Brownlee was held to just 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting.

Boomers take control early

Australia wasted no time imposing their dominance, hitting seven triples in the opening quarter to secure a commanding 29-12 lead. Head coach Tim Cone admitted that the Boomers’ combination of size and outside shooting forced Gilas onto the back foot early. “They started off really well and jumped on a lead, and we played on our heels the rest of the game,” Cone said.

Gilas found a spark in the second quarter through Quiambao’s hot hand and Ramos’ midrange game, trimming the gap briefly. However, Australia’s Harry Wessels and Xavier Cooks dominated the paint to restore a 20-point cushion at halftime.

Philippines fights but falls short

In the second half, Gilas attempted a rally with contributions from Brownlee, Ramos, and Scottie Thompson. But Australia’s stifling defensive rotations and rebounding advantage smothered any comeback hopes.

The loss left the Philippines with a final record of 2-3 in the tournament, highlighted by a thrilling overtime win over host nation Saudi Arabia in the qualification stage. Despite the early exit, the team showed resilience and growth, with eyes now set on building for future international campaigns.