A fiercely contested showdown resulted in only 130 points being scored collectively, but it was Gilas Pilipinas who emerged triumphant, securing their first Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal since 1962 by defeating Jordan in a low-scoring clash.
Justin Brownlee once again emerged as the hero for Gilas, racking up 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, as the Philippines clinched their 19th Asian Games gold with a 70–60 triumph.
The victory marked the end of a long medal drought for Gilas, dating back to 1998 when they took home bronze.
Brownlee’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament solidified his status as the team’s standout player.
As the news broke, conversations on social media platforms in the Philippines centered around Gilas Pilipinas, their coach Tim Cone, and the departure of the previous head coach, Chot Reyes.
Many netizens credited the victory to coach Tim Cone, emphasizing the team’s defensive prowess.
One enthusiast exclaimed, “Tonight, we didn’t see the usual Gilas Pilipinas who relies mostly on offense. We won the Asian Games by playing DEFENSE. Salamat, Tim Cone! The goat of PH basketball.”
Another netizen hailed Cone’s role in the victory, saying, “Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone gets the victory as the Philippines wins the gold medal in the Asian Games men’s basketball.”
In contrast, the name of former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes resurfaced, with Filipino netizens drawing comparisons between him and Cone.
Reyes had stepped down as head coach after the national team’s final game in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, facing criticism for his tactical decisions.
Some netizens sarcastically bid farewell to Reyes, with one posting, “Thank you Chot for staying away,” while another concurred, “Congratulations Tim Cone, the best coach! Thank you Chot Reyes for letting go.”
“Chot Reyes is the problem,” added another netizen.
Among those congratulating the team was President Bongbong Marcos, who praised Gilas Pilipinas for their incredible feat in elevating Filipino athleticism and sportsmanship on the global stage.
Despite the game’s low-scoring nature, the victory was a cause for celebration, and the Philippine anthem resounded in the arena as gold medals were awarded to the Gilas players.
Team members expressed their gratitude and shared their commitment to the country, with Chris Newsome noting, “There were a lot of people who didn’t think we could do it, and we proved them wrong,” and Angelo Kouame emphasizing the unity of the team.
Earl Scottie Thompson added, “This is special for us, for our country. This is a very meaningful win because we made history.”
Man of the hour Brownlee paid tribute to his teammates and the Filipino spirit, stating, “The Filipino heart, the Filipino pride…there is nothing like it. We displayed it in this tournament.”
The Daily Netizen 