MANILA, Philippines – The Filipinos were lifted by Justin Brownlee, who scored eight points in a succession, including two three-pointers that he made back-to-back, giving his side the lead 78 to 74.

In the decisive semifinal at the Morodok Techo Stadium Elephant Hall 2, the Philippines trailed by as many as 11 points at the halfway point of the second quarter after a three-pointer by Lester Prosper, and they were still down 74 to 70 with 4:10 left.

Before Brownlee started to take matters into his own hands and willed the Filipinos back, that is.

Gilas will now play host Cambodia in an effort to reclaim the basketball gold it lost to Indonesia in Hanoi, Vietnam, a year ago.

Tuesday at 4 p.m. is the scheduled time for the conclusion. Time zone: Manila.

Thailand was defeated by Cambodia, 76 to 66, in the first semifinal matchup.

In the group stage, the host team defeated the Filipinos 79 to 68 thanks to the support of six naturalized players.

Brownlee led Gilas with 34 significant points on 5-of-11 shooting from outside the arc. 

With 1:39 remaining, Gilas led 81 to 74 thanks in part to a huge game by the Philippines’ Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who scored 13 points and converted a three-point play.

The other member of the Gilas to score 10 points or more was Arvin Tolentino.

The naturalized Indonesian star Prosper, a former PBA import, proved to be a thorn in the side of Gilas as he led Indonesia with 26 points on a scorching 10-of-11 shooting from the field.

At halftime, when Indonesia led by 45 to 38, he had 21 points and was 4-of-5 from three-point range.

The results

Philippines (84): Brownlee (34) Ganuelas-Rosser (13) Tolentino (10), Lassiter (9), Lastimosa (9), Newsome (4), Perez (2), Ross (2), Standhardinger (1), Philips (0), and Mason (0).

20 to 24, 38 to 45, 65 to 60, 84 to 76, and quarter scores.

Meanwhile at PBA D-League: CEU wants to defeat Letran for the second time in a row.

Coach Jeff Perlas is hoping that CEU’s chargers will approach Letran with the same mentality after a 39-point victory over struggling AMA Online last week.

Perlas, who was appointed CEU coach during the winter, said, “We have to play like that against elite and tougher opponents. I think it (victory against AMA) is a big morale booster for us and hopefully can have the momentum against Letran.

The Knights are equally committed to succeeding.

Last Tuesday, Letran fell to San Beda by a score of 90 to 87, a result that could have been avoided had Yukien Andrada not hit a last-second 3-pointer to give the Red Lions the lead and break the tie.

In the 2 p.m. game, the Knights are undoubtedly desperate to prove themselves. confrontation with CEU.

Letran coach Rensy Bajar stated, “Our mindset going forward is to play strong defense against CEU. We will continue what we have started these past three years, which is defense. 

Ayodeji Victor Balogun, Anjord Cabotaje, and Vince Ferrer are in charge of keeping things afloat at CEU.

Kobe Monje and Kurt Reyson are the veterans Letran is putting its faith in.