MANILA, Philippines – In a sendoff tune-up game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Gilas Pilipinas staged a remarkable comeback from a 21-point deficit at halftime to secure a thrilling victory over the Macau Black Bears by a score of 103–98. Last but not least, before leaving for the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, they participated in this live rehearsal as their final tune-up.

Macau dominated the game from the beginning with their exceptional three-point shooting, making 12 of 17 three-point shots in the first half to establish a commanding lead of 63 minutes to 46 seconds. Gilas struggled early on due to turnovers and limited coherence, despite the fact that they were playing without notable players like June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Oftana, who were sidelined. The national team, on the other hand, underwent a transformation into a different team after the break, outscoring the Black Bears by a score of 57–35 in the second half thanks to enhanced defensive play and more precise execution.

The captain, who is also a naturalized immigrant, Justin Brownlee, performed exceptionally well under intense circumstances. The turnaround was managed by Brownlee, who finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal throughout the game. He made five three-pointers while shooting efficiently and asserted himself in crucial situations, including two crucial three-pointers late in the game that turned the momentum in Gilas’s favor that shifted the momentum. His presence brought the team back under control and turned the game into a demonstration of leadership.

The secondary player Dwight Ramos emerged as a standout, adding 19 points, six assists, four rebounds, a block, and two steals to the team’s performance. During times of intense pressure, his well-rounded performance off the bench provided very important reinforcement. While anchoring the inside work, AJ Edu added a polished 15 points; his finishing and defensive rotations gave poise in crucial situations. AJ Edu’s performance was a highlight. In addition, Kevin Quiambao left an impression by scoring 14 points on five of seven shots, including three-pointers at the right time and providing intelligent playmaking when Brownlee was sitting.

During the second half, Gilas’s defense went through a change. They allowed only 18 points in the third quarter alone, while simultaneously tightening their perimeter defense and driving Macau into contested jumpers. This came after they had allowed 63 points in the first two quarters of the game. The adjustment was hailed by Coach Tim Cone, who lauded the team’s willingness to rotate aggressively, contest shots, and promote discipline in the last stretch of the game.

Gilas was able to consolidate their lead late in the fourth quarter, but Macau was able to threaten with a point in order to narrow the differential. When there were just over three minutes left in the game, Brownlee responded with a fadeaway three-pointer, and then at the 1:41 mark, he made another clutch triple that put an end to the game. With 42 seconds remaining, Edu made a thunderous slam to cap off the victory, which was 103–98.

In light of this performance, Gilas appears to have improved in a number of areas, including depth, adaptability, and quality of finish. Brownlee’s leadership continues to be an essential component; the offense will continue to rely on his capacity to create space and ignite teammates. On the other hand, Edu strengthened his position as a frontline anchor in FIBA settings, while Quiambao’s expanding role demonstrated his versatility.

Looking ahead, Gilas will compete in another friendly match against Jordan before making their way to Jeddah after the match. In light of the fact that the team will soon be competing in group matches against New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq, the ability to quickly adapt will be of the utmost importance. The fact that Brownlee is doing well suggests that the team has a reliable player to rely on in times of crisis, and the growing self-assurance of players such as Ramos, Quiambao, and Edu says that the bench is getting deeper.