June Mar Fajardo shrugs off negative comments, bounces back for Gilas

Center June Mar Fajardo during Gilas Pilipinas game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—June Mar Fajardo received some harsh criticisms on Thursday after his subpar game for Gilas Pilipinas against New Zealand in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers. ADVERTISEMENT

On Sunday night, he proved those criticisms to be just mere noise.

Gilas defended home court for the second time in four days on Sunday after defeating Hong Kong, 93-54, at Mall of Asia Arena behind a stellar opening quarter that dictated the pace for the Nationals.FEATURED STORIES SPORTS RESULTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Hong Kong at Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers SPORTS Gilas crushes Hong Kong to stay perfect in Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers SPORTS Kai Sotto flaunts consistency, maturity in latest Gilas stint Fans clamor but Dwight Ramos sits out Gilas game due to injury

Star guard Dwight Ramos sits out Gilas Pilipinas game against Hong Kong in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Fans clamored for Dwight Ramos in Gilas Pilipinas’ 93-54 win over Hong Kong in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena Sunday night.

With  3:25 left to play Gilas looked to be in prime position to rout the Chinese with a whopping 81-51 lead but some fans were eager to see something else.

The majority of the 11,896 spectators in attendance started chanting “We want Dwight!” but the loud cheers didn’t get them what they wanted as Ramos completely spent the game on the sidelines.

Kai Sotto flaunts consistency, maturity in latest Gilas’ stint

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto (middle) with Justin Brownlee and June Mar Fajardo during the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers game against Hong Kong at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas swept the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers and in both games, Kai Sotto showed why he’s one of the new go-to guys for the Nationals.

Gilas defended home court once more after defeating Hong Kong, 93-54, at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night after another stellar outing from star big man Sotto.

“It’s a good feeling but all of this starts with hard work. I worked hard for this, the entire team worked hard for this as well so I’m very happy that we got both wins in this window,” said Sotto in Filipino.

Gilas crushes Hong Kong to stay perfect in Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto during a Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers 2025 game against Hong Kong at Mall of Asia Arena. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas gave Hong Kong no quarter on Sunday night, pummeling the visitors early on in the paint en route to a 93-54 victory in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. ADVERTISEMENT

Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo set the tone early, the young big man notching a double-double in the first half on the way to finishing 12 points, 15 rebounds and as the latter wound up with 14 and eight.

Carl Tamayo had himself a night, chipping in a team-best 16 points, while Chris Newsome was solid anew with nine points as the Filipinos kept their record pristine after four matches and two windows.

Kevin Quiambao talks about proving himself after not playing in Gilas’ last game vs. New Zealand. @INQUIRERSports #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/74U1sB5gEo

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 24, 2024

Carl Tamayo after the Gilas dub. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xpPASsWom2

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 24, 2024

2-0 AT HOME. 🇵🇭#GilasPilipinas exits the hardwood after capping off their two-game home stretch with a win. @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/WJn8wczR0X pic.twitter.com/KPs1HgkH6v

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 24, 2024

Live updates: Gilas Pilipinas vs Hong Kong

FOURTH QUARTER

Young guns had a night for Gilas with Carl Tamayo with 16 points, Kai Sotto 12 points and 15 rebounds and Kevin Quiambao with eight points. June Mar Fajardo added 14 points and eight rebounds while Justin Brownlee scored 13. Gilas Pilipinas makes it 2-for-2 at home in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers after dominating Hong Kong 93-54.

“We want Dwight,” chants echo throughout the MOA Arena.

Still no playing time from him with 3:25 to go in the game. Gilas leads 81-51. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Ofkj0Avszp

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 24, 2024

We want “Dwight!” chants from the Gilas crowd. Ramos did not suit up today due to a calf injury. Gilas Pilipinas’ lead has ballooned to 75-45 with 7 minutes to play.

THIRD QUARTER

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Gilas Pilipinas leads Hong Kong, 67-43. Scottie Thompson for a 3! Justin Brownlee in transition for 2. Gilas up big now, 67-40, with just over a minute left. June Mar Fajardo converts after scramble for the ball. Gilas threatening to pull away, 56-40, with 3:39 in the third. Third quarter underway. Gilas Pilipinas holding on to a 47-35 lead over Hong Kong with 7:30 on the clock. At the half, Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo with 10 points each for Gilas Pilipinas. Kai, though, also has 10 rebounds. Carl Tamayo added 9 points.

SECOND QUARTER

END OF SECOND QUARTER: Gilas Pilipins 45-35 Hong Kong. Kai Sotto with a hook! 10 points already for the young center. Gilas 45-32. Justin Brownlee connects off Mason Amos pass. Gils leads 43-28. Hong Kong hasn’t scored in a while. Gilas Pilipinas looking to pull away, builds a 41-28 advantage with 4 minutes to play before halftime. Young guns getting a lot of playing time here for Gilas. This time it’s Mason Amos on the floor. Carl Tamayo grinds out a two from underneath. Gilas pushes the lead to 39-25. Hong Kong calls for time. Carl Tamayo scores his fifth point of the game. Gilas leads, 37-25. Chris Newsome brings Gilas Pilipinas lead back to double digits with a 3, 35-25, with 7:24 at the half.

FIRST QUARTER

END OF FIRST: Gilas 25-16 Hong Kong. Kai Sotto muscles his way underneath. He completes a 3-point play. Gilas leads 20-10. Gilas Pilipinas pushes lead to 17-10 after a basket from Chris Newsome. Justin Brownlee gives the lead back to Gilas. June Mar Fajardo follows it up. Gilas 13-10. JMF already with 8 points. Tied game at 8-all halfway through the opening quarter. GilasPilipinas’ starting five vs. Hong Kong: Scottie Thompson Calvin Oftana Justin Brownlee June Mar Fajardo Kai Sotto.

Tall order for Hong Kong as they aim to take down #GilasPilipinas in their home court. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/W5StB2NjnA

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 24, 2024

TWO FOR TWO? 🇵🇭#GilasPilipinas looks to defend home court for the second time in four days as they take on Hong Kong in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Y0Rna9sd0z

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 24, 2024

Gilas is all set for one final match against Hong Kong! 🇵🇭

Laban Pilipinas! #PUSO

📹: JP Bersabe #AsiaCup @FIBAAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/fWZYej51CF

— SBP (@officialSBPinc) November 24, 2024

A new batch of Gen Ad tickets will be made available to the public during game day tomorrow starting at 10 AM! ⛹️

See you at the Gilas vs Hong Kong game this November 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Don't forget to WEAR BLUE! 💙

Laban Pilipinas! #PUSO#AsiaCup @FIBAAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/E4eooWWqbp

— SBP (@officialSBPinc) November 23, 2024

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas vs Hong Kong November 24 Mall of Asia Arena 7:30pm – Hong Kong vs Gilas Pilipinas Gilas Pilipinas eyes sweep of Hong Kong

Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto soars for a dunk during a Fiba Asia Cup 2025 game against New Zealand. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas shoots for a sweep of its two home stands when it battles Hong Kong anew in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday night.

Fresh off a slump-breaking 93-89 win over New Zealand last Thursday, the Nationals will try to repeat over their Chinese foes 7:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena, and leave nothing to chance in sewing up a spot in the main tournament that will be held in Saudi Arabia in August.

Gilas, according to an Inquirer source familiar with the inner workings of the program, is set to parade the same roster that delivered the country’s historic first victory over the Tall Blacks. But the squad will provide a different look for the visitors with June Mar Fajardo back in harness.

Gilas’ Scottie Thompson proves doubters wrong

Gilas Pilipinas guard Scottie Thompson during a game against New Zealand in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena.—MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone made sure to call out the doubters who criticized Scottie Thompson’s national team inclusion.

Cone fired back at the naysayers on the heels of Thompson’s stellar outing that helped Gilas beat powerhouse New Zealand, 93-89, in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers on Thursday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I remember when there was a time when people were saying that Scottie can’t play in the international games,” said Cone.

Gilas Pilipinas looks forward to clashing vs higher-ranked teams

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone and Kai Sotto during the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers game vs New Zealand. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas’ seemingly endless years of torment at the hands of New Zealand finally reached its resolution on Thursday night in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers after a heart-stopping 93-89 triumph carved out before nearly 17,000 screaming souls at Mall of Asia Arena.

That showed how much this edition of the National Five has come since its debut last summer. And what this team has so far done is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for a program that has hit its stride lately.

“We haven’t seen our best team yet,” coach Tim Cone said after the win very few saw coming. “We’ve been able to beat the No. 6 team (Latvia in the Olympic qualifiers) and the No. 22 (in New Zealand).

How to watch Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

Live at MOA Arena

Tickets to watch the game at MOA Arena are also available at SM Tickets online and SM Tickets booths and outlets.

Ticket prices are as follows: VIP A (P10,000) VIP B (P7,000), Patron A (P3,500), Patron B (P2,800) Lower Box A (P2,100), Lower Box B (P1,400), Upper Box A (P700), Upper Box B (P600), and General Admission (P400).

The bulk of the GenAd tickets will also go on sale at 10 am on November 21 and November 24 at MOA Arena to make way for walk-ins, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Fans are asked to wear blue for the home game.

On TV, livestreaming

Gilas Pilipinas’ games will be aired live on One Sports on free-to-air TV and One Sports+ on cable.

Meanwhile, both matches will be streaming on the subscription-based Pilipinas Live app.

Inquirer Sports will also deliver live updates on the games on  its website and social media accounts.

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