MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas’ worries proved true on Thursday night, as the visiting Nationals crumpled under a retooled Chinese-Taipei squad, 91-84, in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The Filipinos had very few answers against the sweet-shooting hosts, who put on a show before the home crowd at Taipei Heping Stadium.

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LIVE: Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei at Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized ace Justin Brownlee delivered 39 points built on eight triples, his scoring performance that went with six boards and eight asssits—unable to bail the Nationals from falling to their first loss after five meetings.

Dwight Ramos had 15 points and five rebounds, while returnee AJ Edu 10 and six in the Philippines’ losing stand.

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Gilas Pilipinas guard Dwight Ramos during a Fiba Asia Cup qualifying match against Chinese Taipei. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas found itself staring at holes as big as 13 points in the non-bearing contest but managed to come back and make things interesting in the final period on a Brownlee triple with 3:56 remaining.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers third window

But endgame lapses, along with the Chinese-Taipei’s efficient long-distance shooting, proved too much for the Gilas, allowing the home crew to notch a second win in the continental qualifiers that also breathed life into its bid to make the continental showpiece via a wild card spot.

Lin Ting-Chien and Mohammad Gadiaga both had 21 points to lead Chinese Taipei. Lu Chun Hsiang added 18 points including a clutch 3 with .49 seconds left while naturalized big man Brandon Gilbeck chipped in six points and seven rebounds, his plays down the crunch dousing Gilas’ last-ditch effort.

The Philippines will try to finish the qualifiers on a good note when it battles another vengeful—and retooled—squad in New Zealand this Sunday in Auckland.