SAN Miguel Corp. chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang congratulated Gilas Pilipinas, headed by coach Tim Cone and naturaLized player Justin Brownlee, for reaching the men”s basketball finals at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

With Barangay Ginebra import Brownlee scoring a game-high 33 points, the Filipinos defeated host China, 77-76, in a heart-stopping semifinal showdown at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre late Wednesday.

In a statement, Ang also credited Manny Pangilinan, the chairman emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, for shaping the successful Gilas Pilipinas program.
Ang’s full statement:

“Let me join millions of Filipino basketball fans in congratulating Gilas Pilipinas—from its coaches to the players and team management —on our country’s historic return to the Asian Games Finals after 33 years.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Chairman Emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Gilas Pilipinas we cheer for today.

He conceived, nurtured, and invested in the program, and it is his unwavering support and guidance all these years that molded–and continues to drive–the team.

Gilas Pilipinas has given our country great honor, and San Miguel Corporation is proud to be supporting the team, along with many others–including private sector partners, government, the Philippine Basketball Association — whose collaborative efforts have helped make this Asian Games journey not just memorable, but also triumphant.

As Gilas Pilipinas sets its sights on the gold, let us all continue to be united, and wish them all the best.”

Brownlee, the 35-year-old Filipino-

American, who won six PBA titles with Barangay Ginebra from 2016-2022, scored 17 points in the fourth quarter alone, including five triples, as he almost singlehandedly carried the fight for the Filipinos.

Brownlee’s 17 fourth-quarter points were even three points better than the 14 points of the whole Chinese team.

Before Brownlee’s heroics, the Filipinos trailed for almost the entire game and were even 20 points down in the third quarter infront of a wildly-cheering Chinese crowd that included NBA great Yao Ming.

The Philippines will now play Jordan for the gold-medal game on Friday.

Regardless of the result of their game against Jordan, the Filipinos are already assured of their first medal in the continental event since pocketing the bronze in 1998 edition in Bangkok, Thailand, also under current coach Tim Cone.