IN another display of offensive prowess, Gilas Pilipinas dominated Guam in a 95-71 blowout to stay perfect in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Monday night at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Playing in front of a storied home crowd, the national team leaned on Justin Brownlee once again, as he led the team with 20 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.

A returning Dwight Ramos also had a solid game with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in his return to the Blue Eagles nest. Meanwhile, Kevin Quiambao added 12 markers on his own.

With this win, Gilas remained unbeaten in Group A with a 2-0 record and now in a share of the top spot of Group A, with three-peat FIBA Asia Cup champion Australia in the early goings of the Asian Qualifiers first window.

On the other side of the court, Guam fell now to a 0-2 slate despite the game-high 27-point effort by San Miguel Beermen guard Jericho Cruz.  

The victory capped a two-game opening assignment for the national team, after starting their campaign last Friday with an 87-46 victory over Guam in their home court.

It was the fitting send-off for the veteran Gilas big man, Japeth Aguilar, who played his last game for the national team last night. After a decorated 16-year career with the Philippine men’s basketball team, the 38-year-old forward Aguilar called time on his Gilas career.

Aguilar was a core member of the national team for over a decade, providing the inside presence that the team needed against the world’s best. The lone active member of the original Smart Gilas squad ended his national team career with three FIBA World Cup stints, a historic silver medal run in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, and multiple golds in regional competitions.

The team will now prepare for back-to-back crucial home games in the first quarter of next year. The Philippines will first host New Zealand on February 26 before facing Australia on March 1, both of which will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.