Gilas Pilipinas delivered a commanding performance, setting a new Asian benchmark on their path to the 2027 FIBA World Cup. The national basketball team secured a resounding 87-46 victory over Guam in their FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers match on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Historic Rebounding Performance
The game was highlighted by a monumental achievement on the boards. Gilas Pilipinas hauled in a total of 61 rebounds, shattering the previous Asian Cup record of 59, which was jointly held by Iran and Lebanon. This also broke the Philippines' own previous best of 55 rebounds, set back in 2022 against Saudi Arabia.
Leading the charge on the glass was debutant Quentin Millora-Brown, who immediately made his presence felt by grabbing 10 rebounds. He shared the spotlight with the perennial Gilas pillar, June Mar Fajardo, who also collected 10 boards. The effort was a complete team performance, with AJ Edu adding 8 rebounds and Dwight Ramos contributing 6. Every single member of the 12-man roster secured at least one rebound, underscoring the team's collective dominance.
From Close Start to Convincing Finish
The contest initially appeared competitive in the first quarter, largely due to the hot shooting of Jericho Cruz. The San Miguel Beer guard, serving as Guam's sparkplug, kept the island nation within striking distance early on. However, as anticipated, once Gilas found its rhythm, the Filipinos took complete control.
The game quickly transformed into a one-sided affair, showcasing the vast gap in caliber between the two teams. The emphatic nature of the win, which followed a similar 87-46 demolition of Guam just four days prior in Guam's Calvo Field House, had national coach Tim Cone overflowing with praise for his squad's execution and intensity.
The Road Ahead: A Formidable Group A Challenge
While the victory over Guam was a foregone conclusion for the powerhouse Philippine squad, the real test lies ahead in the main draw of Group A. Gilas Pilipinas is set to battle continental heavyweights Australia and New Zealand, along with other strong contenders like Jordan and Iran.
This formidable group presents a significant challenge in the Philippines' quest to secure one of the seven Asian seats for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. The competition will require peak performance from the Nationals. However, with the steady leadership of Coach Tim Cone at the helm, the team has a proven winner guiding its course.
Cone's history of rewriting narratives inspires confidence. He famously piloted Gilas to the Asian Games gold medal in 2022, defeating Iran, China, and Jordan in succession to end a six-decade title drought for the country. With Cone in command, Gilas Pilipinas sails forward with a steady hand, ready to face the towering challenges of Group A.
