**Gilas Pilipinas crushes Chinese Taipei by 53 points in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers**

Technically, the national sport of the Philippines is Arnis but you would never know based on how much the Philippines loves Basketball. The Philippine National team nickednamed “Gilas” is proof.

Gilas Pilipinas showed no mercy as it demolished Chinese Taipei, 106-53, in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Philippines improved to 2-0 in Group B, while handing the Taiwanese their first loss in the tournament.

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee led the way for Gilas Pilipinas with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals in his homecoming game. The Barangay Ginebra star, who missed the last four months due to injury, received a warm welcome from the Filipino fans who packed the venue.

Kai Sotto, the 7-foot-3 prodigy who plays for the NBA G League Ignite, added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Gilas Pilipinas dominated the game from start to finish, opening the first quarter with a 33-18 lead and extending it to 57-28 at halftime. The Nationals did not let up in the second half, outscoring the visitors 49-25 and reaching their biggest lead of 55 points, 106-51, in the final minute.

The Philippines shot 51.9% from the field, while holding Chinese Taipei to a dismal 29.5%. The Nationals also had the edge in rebounds (51-35), assists (30-10), steals (17-5), and points in the paint (54-24).