Brownlee explodes for 41, but Gilas comeback vs Jordan falls short in final World Cup qualifier

The Philippine national team almost made a comeback against Jordan, but fell short, 91-90, on Monday in their final 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers game at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

After being down by 25, early in the second period, Gilas started to inch closer in the second half as it outscored Jordan, 23-10, in the third period to end the frame within six, 70-64.

Down 79-73, the Nationals made an 8-2 run to tie the game at 81 capped by a Ray Parks triple at the 5:27 mark. Ahmad Alhamarsheh connected a triple to give Jordan the lead back, while Zaid Abbas further extended the lead. Free throws from Parks off a Sami Bzai foul cut Jordan's lead, then Justin Brownlee reenergized Gilas' run that put the Philippines within one, 86-85.

Free throws from Freddy Ibrahim again gave Jordan a three-point lead, but a slam from Jamie Malonzo tied the game once again at 88 with 1:48 left.

Freddy Ibrahim's split off a Scottie Thompson foul brought him to the line again followed by a Caden Chudri Zuheir Alnajdawi that gave Jordan a 91-88 lead. Brownlee trimmed the Philippines' deficit to within one with 1:30.

Dwight Ramos tried to drill a trey, while Brownlee had a three-point attempt but did not also connect. A foul by Mohammad Hussein on Thompson brought the reigning PBA MVP to the line, but no free throws saw the bottom of the basket. Ahmad Alhamarsheh tried to extend Jordan's lead, while Parks missed his final shot, eventually dealing Gilas the heartbreaking loss.

Jordan had a hot start in the game, keeping the Philippines trailing 33-14 at the end of the first quarter. The national team were still trailing 60-41 at the end of the first half.

One bright spot for the national team was Brownlee, who exploded for 41 points, on top of his 12 boards, to tie Iran's Mohammad Jamshidi and become the Qualifiers' top scorer in a single game.

Malonzo had 11 points, while Thompson and Jordan Heading had nine points apiece.

Dar Tucker had 22 points while Ibrahim and Abbas had 19 and 10 points, respectively, for Jordan.

Overall, Gilas Pilipinas had six wins and four losses in the Asian qualifiers. However, by being the host of the World Cup, alongside Japan and Indonesia, the country is assured of a slot in the World Cup in August.

Other Asian qualifiers from Group E include New Zealand, Lebanon, Jordan, while Group F will have Australia, China, Japan, and Iran.

The scores:

Jordan 91 - Tucker 22, Ibrahim 19, Abbas 10, Bzai 9, Alhamarsheh 8,  Abu Hawwas 8, Alhendi 6, Hussein 5, Alnajdawi 2.

Philippines 90 - Brownlee 41, Malonzo 11, Thompson 9, Heading 9, Parks 8, Ramos 7, Perez 4, Amos 0, K. Ravena 0.

Quarters: 33-14, 60-41, 70-64, 91-90.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News