Gilas Pilipinas player Justin Brownlee drives past defenders of Jordan in the preliminary games of the Asian Games in China. | PSC-POC pool
The Gilas Pilipinas defeated Jordan, 70-60, to win the men’s basketball gold medal in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Friday night, October 6, 2023.
Justine Brownlee once again carried the fight for Gilas Pilipinas, scoring 20 points to go with 10 rebounds and five assists. Big man Angelo Kouame added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Philippines.
Gilas led 17-12 in the first before settling for a 31-all count at the half. The Nationals then took a 51-41 lead going into the final frame.
READ MORE: Gilas Pilipinas vs Jordan: Match for the ages
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the gold medal match after squeaking past host China on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Gilas Pilipinas beats China, makes Asian Games finals
Jordan beat the Gilas in the preliminaries, 87-62, and sent them off down a perilous path against Iran in the quarters and China in the semis.
But Gilas survived both missions, weathering a massive comeback by the Iranians to win by one, and then completing an epic rally to beat host China, again by one — with Brownlee figuring prominently in the two victories.
Members of the Gilas Pilipinsa celebrate after winning over Jordan to win the men’s basketball gold in th Asian Games in China on Friday night, October 6. | PSC-POC media pool
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led Jordan with 24 points.
The Philippines last ruled Asiad basketball in 1962, at the tail end of an 11-year reign as champions.
#GilasGOLD 🥇🇵🇭 HISTORY MADE! Gilas Pilipinas brings home the GOLD in the Asian Games, ending a six-decade-long gold medal drought! 🏀🏆
🇵🇭 Gilas Pilipinas – 70
🇯🇴 Jordan – 60#GilasPilipinas #LabanPilipinas— Gilas Pilipinas (@SmartGilas) October 6, 2023
/bmjo