Another uphill climb

Gilas determined to pull the rug from under undefeated Australia

- By REYNALD MAGALLON

Gilas Pilipinas’ quest to end a 40-year title drought will have to hurdle an even longer dry spell against a team that invoked ugly memories of an infamous bench-clearing brawl back in 2018.

The Nationals' fighting heart and unwavering resolve will be put to a stern test against two-time defending champion Australia — a team that the Philippines has not beaten in the last 51 years — in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The game is set at 7 p.m. (PH time) at the King Abdullah Sports City, the same venue where Justin Brownlee, carrying the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders, put together yet another clutch performance to help Gilas overcome Saudi Arabia, 95-88, in overtime.