What a way for Gilas Pilipinas to get back into the win column.
After four straight losses in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, the Philippines finally broke through in dramatic fashion, defeating Jordan, 82–81, in overtime on Friday night, August 28, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
And this wasn’t an ordinary win.
Gilas fell behind by as many as 18 points. Justin Brownlee wasn’t available. Carl Tamayo suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter. Jordan had an opportunity to steal the game in the final seconds.
Yet somehow, Gilas survived.
Kevin Quiambao hit the biggest three-pointer of the night, CJ Perez repeatedly delivered in crunch time, and Kai Sotto capped his long-awaited national-team comeback with a game-saving block at the buzzer.
The Philippines improved to 3–4 in Group E and kept its hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup very much alive.
Now Gilas has to do it all over again.
The Philippines faces Iran on Sunday, August 30, at 8:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena, and another victory could make the World Cup qualification race a lot more interesting.
Here’s the latest on Gilas Pilipinas following one of its most memorable wins of the current qualifying campaign.
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Gilas Pilipinas Beats Jordan, 82–81, in Overtime
Let’s start with the result.
Final score
Philippines 82
Jordan 81
Overtime
The final score doesn’t quite explain how wild this game was.
Jordan looked ready to run away with it early.
The Falcons opened aggressively and built a huge advantage as Gilas struggled to find its rhythm. At one stage, Jordan was ahead by 18 points.
For a Philippine team already carrying a 2–4 record into the game, that was not exactly the start Filipino fans were hoping for.
But Gilas slowly fought its way back.
By halftime, the deficit had been reduced to 44–39 after Carl Tamayo hit a three-pointer before the break.
Then things changed in the third quarter.
The Philippines opened the second half with a 12–2 run and briefly grabbed a 51–46 advantage. Jordan responded, and from that point forward the game became the kind of possession-by-possession battle we’ve seen so many times involving Gilas.
Neither team could pull away.
And eventually, 40 minutes weren’t enough.
CJ Perez Comes Alive When Gilas Needs Him Most
One of the biggest stories of the game was CJ Perez.
Perez didn’t score in the first half.
Then Gilas needed someone to take over late, especially with Justin Brownlee unavailable.
Perez answered.
He scored 16 points and repeatedly attacked the basket in the fourth quarter, keeping the Philippines alive whenever Jordan threatened to pull away.
With Jordan leading 69–68 late in regulation, Perez converted a floater to put Gilas ahead.
Jordan answered with another three-pointer.
Perez attacked again and tied the game at 72 with 43 seconds remaining, eventually sending the contest to overtime.
It was exactly the type of aggressive performance Gilas needed without Brownlee.
Nobody on this roster can simply become Justin Brownlee.
That’s not realistic.
Brownlee has been Gilas’ go-to scorer, clutch shot-maker and emotional leader in countless games.
The answer instead has to come collectively.
Perez provided a major part of that solution against Jordan.
Kevin Quiambao Hits the Biggest Shot of the Game
Then there was Kevin Quiambao.
With the score tied at 79 in overtime and the clock ticking down, CJ Perez drove toward the basket and kicked the ball out to Quiambao.
KQ didn’t hesitate.
Three-pointer.
Gilas 82, Jordan 79.
Only 11.7 seconds remained.
For a player who has built a reputation for making big plays throughout his college and professional career, it was another huge moment.
Quiambao finished with 14 points.
But if you watched the game, you’ll probably remember the three more than anything else.
Jordan wasn’t finished.
Freddy Ibrahim made two free throws to reduce the margin to 82–81.
CJ Perez fouled out.
Then Gilas committed a five-second violation while trying to inbound the ball.
Suddenly, Jordan had possession and a chance to win.
And that’s when Kai Sotto made the play everyone will remember.
Kai Sotto’s Game-Saving Block
Jordan attacked the basket on the final possession.
Abdullah Olajuwon went up for what could have been the game-winning layup.
Kai Sotto was waiting.
Block.
Game over.
Gilas wins.
It was almost the perfect ending to Sotto’s first official game for the Philippines in nearly two years.
After months of rehabilitation, questions about his health and plenty of anticipation surrounding his return, Kai didn’t simply play.
He became the biggest player on the floor when Gilas needed him most.
FIBA later named Sotto among the top performers from the August 28 qualifying games.
Kai Sotto’s Gilas Comeback by the Numbers
Sotto finished with:
- 18 points
- 14 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 2 blocks
- 36 minutes played
Those are impressive numbers under any circumstances.
They’re even more impressive when you remember what Sotto has gone through.
He had not played an official Gilas game since November 2024.
In January 2025, he suffered a torn ACL while playing professionally in Japan, forcing him to undergo surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
He eventually returned to professional basketball and then rejoined the Philippine national team for this qualifying window.
His first game back?
Eighteen points, 14 rebounds and the game-winning defensive play.
Not bad.
Sotto admitted after the game that he felt pressure before his return, but once the game started, he was happy simply to contribute again.
For Gilas fans, perhaps the most encouraging part wasn’t even the statistics.
Kai looked comfortable.
He rebounded.
He scored inside.
He played significant minutes.
And he was still able to protect the rim late in overtime.
That is a very good sign considering how important he could become during the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Gilas Won Without Justin Brownlee
We also shouldn’t overlook this.
Justin Brownlee did not play.
Brownlee is sitting out the August qualifying window while dealing with injury concerns, meaning Gilas is using an all-Filipino lineup against Jordan and Iran.
Before the game, that raised an obvious question.
Where would the points come from?
Against Jordan, the answer was spread across several players.
Gilas leading scorers vs Jordan
| Player | Points |
|---|---|
| Kai Sotto | 18 |
| CJ Perez | 16 |
| Kevin Quiambao | 14 |
| Dwight Ramos | 14 |
That’s probably the formula Gilas needs while Brownlee is unavailable.
Rather than waiting for one player to carry the entire offense, different players have to step forward depending on the situation.
Kai gave Gilas an inside presence.
Perez attacked.
Quiambao made the big shot.
Dwight Ramos provided another steady scoring option.
That’s much harder for opponents to prepare for.
The Bad News: Carl Tamayo Injured His Ankle
Unfortunately, the Jordan victory came with a significant concern.
Carl Tamayo suffered a sprained left ankle during the third quarter.
Tamayo rolled the ankle while driving toward the basket with 7:58 remaining in the period and did not return to the game.
That’s particularly unfortunate because Tamayo was playing well.
Before leaving, he had:
- 8 points
- 3-of-4 shooting
- 1 rebound
- 1 assist
He also hit the important three-pointer before halftime that helped cut Jordan’s advantage to five.
The positive news is that Tamayo was able to walk afterward.
However, Tim Cone said the ankle was swollen and confirmed that it was a sprain.
Gilas is now treating the injury and monitoring whether Tamayo can recover in time to face Iran.
Will Carl Tamayo Play Against Iran?
As of August 29, Tamayo should be considered questionable for Sunday’s game.
There has been no definitive confirmation yet that he will play.
Cone said Gilas would treat the ankle and evaluate his condition before making a decision.
And with another major game less than two days after the Jordan thriller, there isn’t much recovery time.
That creates an interesting roster question.
RJ Abarrientos and Justin Arana Are on Standby
Gilas still has options if Tamayo cannot play.
RJ Abarrientos and Justin Arana were the final two players left out when Tim Cone trimmed his roster to 12 before the Jordan game.
But because both remain in the official player pool, either could potentially be activated for the Iran matchup.
Cone confirmed that Abarrientos and Arana are available if Gilas needs a replacement for Tamayo.
That could create an interesting decision.
If Gilas chooses Justin Arana
Arana would give the Philippines another big man.
That could make sense against an Iran team known for physical basketball and strong interior play.
If Gilas chooses RJ Abarrientos
Abarrientos would provide another ball-handler and perimeter shooter.
That could be useful if Cone wants more speed and offensive creation.
Of course, the best-case scenario for Gilas is that Tamayo recovers and no roster change is necessary.
Cone has already said that’s what he is hoping for.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Record Improves to 3–4
More importantly, the win kept the Philippines alive in the qualification race.
Gilas entered the Jordan game at 2–4.
It is now:
Philippines: 3 wins, 4 losses
Jordan dropped to 5–2.
Iran also fell to 5–2 after losing to New Zealand, 93–91, in another overtime game.
New Zealand improved to 5–2.
Australia remained unbeaten after dominating Syria, 123–64.
The current race therefore looks much more interesting than it did before the games began.
Group E situation after August 28
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Australia | 7–0 |
| Jordan | 5–2 |
| Iran | 5–2 |
| New Zealand | 5–2 |
| Philippines | 3–4 |
| Syria | 2–5 |
For Gilas, that two-game gap between the Philippines and the teams sitting at 5–2 is still significant.
But compare that with what would have happened if Gilas had lost to Jordan.
At 2–5, the Philippines would have been facing a much steeper climb.
Instead, the World Cup dream remains alive.
Why the Win Over Jordan Was So Important
There are several reasons this victory matters.
First, it snapped a four-game losing streak.
The Philippines began the World Cup qualifiers with two victories over Guam before suffering four consecutive defeats.
A fifth straight loss would have created even more pressure around the team.
Instead, Gilas finally rediscovered that winning feeling.
Second, Jordan is one of the teams the Philippines is directly chasing.
This wasn’t a win against a team at the bottom of the standings.
Jordan entered the game at 5–1.
Beating one of the strongest teams in the group is exactly what Gilas needed if it hopes to move back into the qualification picture.
Third, Gilas did it without Brownlee.
That matters because it showed the current group that it can still beat a quality Asian opponent without relying on its naturalized star.
And finally, Kai Sotto looked ready.
For the longer qualification campaign, that could end up being the most important development of all.
How Does Gilas Qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup?
The Philippines is competing in Group E of the second round.
The top three teams from each second-round group qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
There is also one additional berth available to the best fourth-placed team across the two groups, while Qatar automatically qualifies as the tournament host.
That means Gilas does not necessarily have to finish third.
But relying on the fourth-place route would make things more complicated.
The safest path is straightforward:
Win games.
And that’s why Sunday’s matchup against Iran is so important.
Gilas Pilipinas vs Iran Is Next
There isn’t much time for celebration.
The Philippines returns to the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Gilas Pilipinas vs Iran
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM Philippine Time
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Tournament: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers
FIBA’s official schedule has Philippines vs Iran as the final Group E game of Sunday’s Manila tripleheader.
And suddenly, this game has become even more interesting.
Iran Is Also Coming Off an Overtime Thriller
While Gilas was surviving Jordan, Iran suffered the opposite result.
New Zealand defeated Iran, 93–91, in overtime.
That dropped Iran from 5–1 to 5–2.
So Sunday’s game brings together two teams coming off emotional overtime battles.
The difference is that Gilas enters with momentum.
Iran enters needing to bounce back.
That should create a very intense matchup.
What a Gilas Win Over Iran Would Mean
If the Philippines beats Iran, Gilas would improve to:
4–4
That would not suddenly put Gilas into the top three.
But it would significantly improve the team’s position going into the next qualifying window.
More importantly, it would mean Gilas defeated both Jordan and Iran during the same home window.
That would be a huge turnaround considering how difficult the team’s situation looked after the first round.
From 2–4 and four straight losses to potentially 4–4 with victories against two of Asia’s traditional basketball powers?
That changes the conversation.
Gilas Will Have to Manage Kai Sotto’s Minutes
Another thing worth watching is Sotto’s workload.
Kai played around 36 minutes against Jordan.
That’s a lot for any big man.
It’s particularly notable for a 7-footer who recently completed a long recovery from an ACL injury and was playing his first official national-team game in almost two years.
And now Gilas has to play again less than 48 hours later.
Cone will have to balance the importance of beating Iran with the need to keep Sotto fresh.
That could mean a bigger role for:
- June Mar Fajardo
- AJ Edu
- Justine Baltazar
- Troy Rosario
And possibly Justin Arana if he is activated.
One advantage Gilas does have is depth in the frontcourt.
Using that depth effectively could become important Sunday night.
Scottie Thompson’s Impact Goes Beyond Scoring
It’s also worth mentioning Scottie Thompson.
His box-score numbers might not jump off the page compared with Sotto, Perez, Quiambao or Ramos.
But Scottie does many of the things that can change an international game.
Rebounds.
Loose balls.
Extra possessions.
Defense.
Passing.
Energy.
After the Jordan win, Tim Cone praised the kind of plays Thompson regularly makes for Gilas.
Those little contributions become even more important in games decided by one possession.
And if the Iran matchup becomes another physical, close contest, expect Thompson to play an important role.
This Could Be a Turning Point for Gilas
One victory doesn’t suddenly solve everything.
Gilas is still below .500.
The Philippines is still chasing Jordan, Iran and New Zealand.
Justin Brownlee remains unavailable.
Carl Tamayo’s health is now a concern.
And Iran will be extremely difficult.
But the Jordan victory gave Gilas something it badly needed.
Belief.
The team was down 18.
Its naturalized star wasn’t playing.
One of its starting forwards got injured.
It committed a five-second violation in the final seconds that could easily have cost the game.
Yet Gilas still found a way.
Those are the kinds of victories that can change the mood around a team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Gilas Pilipinas win against Jordan?
Yes. Gilas Pilipinas defeated Jordan, 82–81, in overtime on August 28, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
What is Gilas Pilipinas’ current record?
The Philippines improved to 3–4 in Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers after defeating Jordan.
How many points did Kai Sotto score against Jordan?
Kai Sotto scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in his first official Gilas game in nearly two years.
Who made the winning shot for Gilas against Jordan?
Kevin Quiambao made a crucial three-pointer with 11.7 seconds remaining in overtime to put the Philippines ahead, 82–79.
Who made the game-winning block?
Kai Sotto blocked Abdullah Olajuwon’s final attempt at the basket as time expired, preserving Gilas’ 82–81 victory.
What happened to Carl Tamayo?
Tamayo suffered a sprained left ankle in the third quarter against Jordan and did not return. His availability for the Iran game remains uncertain.
Will Carl Tamayo play against Iran?
There is no final confirmation yet. Tim Cone said Gilas will continue treating the ankle before determining whether Tamayo can play Sunday.
Who could replace Carl Tamayo?
RJ Abarrientos and Justin Arana remain available in the Gilas player pool and could be activated if Tamayo is unable to play.
When is Gilas Pilipinas vs Iran?
The Philippines faces Iran on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
What time is Gilas vs Iran?
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM Philippine Time.
Where is Gilas vs Iran?
The game will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Is Justin Brownlee playing against Iran?
No. Brownlee is sitting out the August qualifying window while recovering from injuries.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the best Gilas games are the ones that seem to be slipping away.
Friday night felt like one of those games.
Jordan led by 18.
Gilas couldn’t get much going early.
Carl Tamayo went down.
Justin Brownlee wasn’t there to save the Philippines in crunch time.
And even after Kevin Quiambao hit a huge three-pointer, a five-second violation gave Jordan one last chance to steal the victory.
Then Kai Sotto appeared at the rim.
Block.
Buzzer.
Gilas wins.
It’s difficult to imagine a better ending to Sotto’s long-awaited return to the national team.
But as memorable as the Jordan victory was, Gilas doesn’t have much time to enjoy it.
Iran is next.
The Philippines is still only 3–4.
The qualification race is still difficult.
And Tamayo’s ankle is now another concern for Tim Cone.
But this Gilas team suddenly has momentum.
Kai Sotto is back.
CJ Perez showed he can deliver in crunch time.
Kevin Quiambao showed he isn’t afraid of the big shot.
And perhaps most importantly, Gilas showed that even without Justin Brownlee, this team can still beat one of the stronger teams in Asia.
Now comes the next question.
Can they do it again against Iran?
We’ll find out Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
