By el Amigo
MANILA — Defending champion Gilas Pilipinas was dethroned emphatically Monday as China romped to a 105-61 victory at the Aichi International Arena (IG Arena) in Nagoya, Japan, ending the Philippines’ title defense in the men’s basketball competition of the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
China’s 44-point triumph exposed the gap between the two teams as the Chinese dominated from start to finish and secured their place in the quarterfinal round.
Gilas found itself under pressure almost immediately, with China establishing a big lead and refusing to let the Filipinos back into the contest.
The Chinese squad maintained its intensity on both ends of the court, repeatedly punishing Gilas with its offensive execution while limiting the Philippines’ scoring opportunities.
As the margin continued to grow, the defending champions were unable to produce the comeback needed to keep their title defense alive.
The final score reflected a painful ending for the Philippines, which entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games hoping to retain the gold medal it won in the previous Asian Games.
Gilas players were visibly downcast following the final buzzer as their campaign ended in the group stage, well short of the knockout rounds.
China, meanwhile, advanced with a commanding performance that underscored its status as one of the tournament’s leading basketball powers.
For the Philippines, the focus now shifts to assessing what went wrong and preparing for its next international assignment after a campaign that fell far short of expectations.
The 105-61 defeat officially ended Gilas Pilipinas’ reign as Asian Games champion and ensured that the men’s basketball gold medal will have a new owner in Aichi-Nagoya.
ia/xf
