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Gilas Pilipinas naturalized center Justin Brownlee in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifier game at the Philippine Arena. – FIBA PHOTO
Justin Brownlee’s return to spirited Gilas Pilipinas fell short as they lost to Jordan, 91-90, to end their Fiba World Cup Asia Qualifying campaign on Monday at the Philippine Arena.
Filipinos rallied from 25 points down with Brownlee, who played only his second game for the national team, leading the way with 41 big points, but they could not make all the potential shots to win in the last minute and a half.
After Brownlee put Gilas Pilipinas within one, 91-90, with 1:30 left, the Nationals missed a few attempts to get the lead for the first time since basketball for 2-0.
PBA MVP Scottie Thompson muffed two important free throws with .30 ticks remaining before Ray Parks missed the game-winning attempt as time expired.
“It was a nightmare start for us. Credit to Jordan, they came out very clear. They prepared us well, and you saw it with the score in the first half,” said national team coach Chot Reyes.
“However, kudos to the guys who didn’t give up. 20, 25 points down, and we still clawed back. We gave ourselves a chance to win the ball game.
The Philippines, which has qualified for the Fiba World Cup as the host, split the n0-bearing homestand after dominating Lebanon, 107-96, in the same place.
Watch your head! Justin Brownlee over Zaid Abbas! 🚨#FIBAWC x #WinForPilipinas 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/V4OVxsiJac
– FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 27, 2023
Brownlee, who had a phenomenal debut weekend for Gilas Pilipinas as a naturalized player, dropped five triples as he poured in 17 points in a third-quarter rally that put the Filipinos within striking distance of Jordan, 70-64. He also had 12 rebounds and three assists in the loss.
Jamie Malonzo, who also put up solid numbers in the win against Lebanon, added 11 points for Gilas Pilipinas. Jordan Heading and Thompson had nine each.
“When do you go down 20 to 25 points like that and almost win? It’s super disappointing. But you know, it could have happened to a better team, because we’ll come back stronger,” said Malonzo about the failed comeback.
Jordan, who had gone through the global event here in August, came out of the gate ready to build a 41-16 lead. Three-pointer Zaid Abbas barely two minutes into the second quarter.
Dar Tucker led the visitors with 22 points along with 12 rebounds while Freddy Ibrahim posted 19 points and eight assists.
The Scores
Jordan 91 – Tucker 22, Ibrahim 19, Z. Abbass 10, Bzai 9, Hawwas 8, Alhamarsheh 8, Alhendi 6, Hussein 5, H. Abbass 2, Alnajdawi 2.
Philippines 90 – Brownlee 41, Malonzo 11, Thompson 9, Heading 9, Parks 8, Ramos 7, Perez 4, Fajardo 1, Amos 0, K. Ravena 0.
Quarterscore: 33-14, 60-41, 70-64, 91-90.
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