On Friday night, Team Philippines achieved a significant victory at the 19th Asian Games, securing their cherished gold medal.
Gilas Pilipinas delighted basketball enthusiasts across the Philippines by winning the gold medal that held the utmost importance. They defeated Jordan in the men’s basketball finals with a score of 70-60, marking the long-awaited return of the Asiad championship to the Philippines after a 61-year gap.
“Six decades,” Amidst the joyous celebration of Gilas, Coach Tim Cone raised his voice to be heard, making his way through the noise and excitement towards the team’s dugout. There, an even more lively and enthusiastic party awaited him.
Justin Brownlee continued to be the frontrunner for Gilas, receiving crucial assistance from Ange Kouame and Chris Newsome as they sought revenge for their sole defeat in the entire tournament, an 87-62 loss to Jordan during the group stage.
However, the narrative took a different turn in the rematch. Gilas jumped to an early 13-point lead, and although Jordan managed to level the score at 31-all by halftime, Gilas gradually extended their advantage. They also successfully contained Jordan’s Rondae Hollis Jefferson, preventing him from making a significant impact on the game.
“We caught them on an off-shooting night” Coach Cone remarked about the Jordanian team, as they struggled with a mere 26 percent shooting accuracy throughout the game, making only 18 of their 69 attempts.
Once more, Brownlee spearheaded Gilas with an impressive stat line of 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Ange Kouame made a significant impact off the bench, achieving a double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, along with five steals and two blocks. Chris Newsome, while tasked with the challenging assignment of defending Hollis-Jefferson, had his standout performance of the tournament, contributing 13 points to the team’s success.