Mission possible for Gilas

Australia remains unbeaten entering the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.

But it doesn’t mean that they’re unbeatable.

Statistics show that the Boomers have chink in their armor, something that Gilas Pilipinas can exploit when they collide for a spot in the semifinals of this prestigious continental tournament.

Australia, for one, couldn’t play honest defense as it has been committing 21 fouls per outing – the second-best in this 16-nation tournament.

On the other hand, the Filipinos are hitting an impressive 70 percent from the free throw line, giving Gilas coach Tim Cone an idea that the key to winning this all-important game is to relentlessly attack the Australian defense to earn a trip to the charity stripe.

But the Australian’s height and heft can be overwhelming.

The Boomers have been crashing the glass with authority, averaging a second-best 48.7 rebounds per game while the Filipinos are at third with 44 pulls per outing, thanks to AJ Edu, Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee.

With that, Gilas has to control the rebounding department if it wants to get more second chance points while stopping the Boomers’ vaunted transition game.

Things turned sour the last time the Filipinos clash with Australia. In fact, the Boomers were leading by 31 points, when a massive fight broke out en route to an 89-53 decision in their last meeting in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on 2 July 2018.

If the Filipinos can control the boards and attack relentlessly in the opening quarter, there is no doubt that Jeddah could turn into a stage for another FIBA shocker.