Basketball: Philippines beat Guam in FIBA World Cup 2027 Asia qualifiers behind Justin Brownlee's 22 points

Philippines dominate Guam to open FIBA 2027 Asian qualifiers

The Philippines men’s basketball team started their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers journey with a commanding 87–46 victory over Guam in Mangilao. The team’s experienced forward, Justin Brownlee, spearheaded the win with 22 points, leading an offense that maintained control from start to finish.

Strong performance from seasoned players

Brownlee set the tone early, hitting key shots and energizing teammates on both ends of the court. His performance was supported by consistent contributions from CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, and Dwight Ramos, who helped sustain the pace and defensive intensity.

“We wanted to set the tone right from the beginning and play our brand of basketball,” said Brownlee after the match.

Defensive lockdown and teamwork

The Philippines displayed exceptional defense, forcing repeated turnovers and limiting Guam’s scoring opportunities. Their fast breaks and cohesive passing gave them control throughout the game, ending the first half with a 24-point lead. The depth of the bench allowed the team to rotate effectively and maintain energy until the final whistle.

Looking ahead in the qualifiers

With this victory, the team takes an early lead in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers. Coach Tim Cone emphasized the importance of consistency as they prepare for future matches, noting that the win was a good foundation but that the qualifiers will only grow more competitive.

Cone stated, “It’s a promising start, but we have to keep improving with every game.”

Summary

The Philippines begin their FIBA 2027 qualification campaign in promising fashion, fueled by Justin Brownlee’s leadership and a balanced team effort that crushed Guam 87–46 on the road.

Author’s summary: The Philippines opened the FIBA 2027 Asian qualifiers with a dominant 87–46 win over Guam, led by Justin Brownlee’s standout 22-point performance and strong team defense.

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Olympics.com Olympics.com — 2025-11-28

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