Watching Gilas Pilipinas take on Saudi Arabia in that FIBA World Cup qualifier reminded me so much of that incredible Rain or Shine comeback I witnessed just last conference. You know the one—where the Elasto Painters exploded for a 37-12 third quarter against Tropang G5G, completely shifting the momentum and cutting the series deficit to 3-2. It was the first time all season they’d strung together two wins in the semifinals, and that kind of explosive, game-changing quarter is exactly what separates good teams from contenders. That same energy, that same strategic pivot, was on full display in this Gilas matchup, and as someone who’s followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, it’s these turning points that I find most thrilling.

From the opening tip, you could feel the tension. Gilas came out with aggressive defensive schemes, clearly aiming to disrupt Saudi Arabia’s primary ball handlers early. The first half was a gritty, physical affair—lots of half-court sets, contested jumpers, and not much separation on the scoreboard. Saudi Arabia’s bigs were effective in the paint, scoring 18 of their 38 first-half points inside, but Gilas managed to counter with disciplined perimeter shooting, hitting 5 of their 12 three-point attempts. Still, by halftime, the lead was slim—just 4 points in favor of Gilas, 46-42. It felt like one of those games where a single run could decide everything, much like how Rain or Shine flipped the script in that third period I mentioned earlier.

Then came the third quarter, and wow, did Gilas turn up the heat. They opened with a 14-2 run in the first four minutes alone, forcing three quick turnovers and converting them into easy transition buckets. That’s where the comparison to the Elasto Painters really hits home for me—both teams used defensive intensity to fuel their offense, and it’s a strategy I’ve always admired. Gilas outscored Saudi Arabia 28-14 in that period, with Jordan Clarkson—who I believe is our most versatile scorer right now—dropping 10 of his game-high 24 points. The ball movement was crisp, the rotations were sharp, and you could see the confidence building with every possession. It wasn’t just about scoring; it was about control, and Gilas seized it completely.

By the final quarter, the lead had ballooned to 18 points, and though Saudi Arabia made a late push with some desperate three-point shooting—they hit 4 of 9 from beyond the arc in the last 10 minutes—it was too little, too late. Gilas closed it out 89-76, a solid double-digit victory that showcased their depth and resilience. Looking at the stats, the rebounding battle was key: Gilas grabbed 48 boards to Saudi Arabia’s 36, with June Mar Fajardo pulling down 12 rebounds himself. That kind of interior dominance is something I’ve been advocating for in our national team setup—it wins games when the shots aren’t falling.

In the end, this wasn’t just another qualifier; it was a statement. Gilas demonstrated they can adapt, execute under pressure, and deliver when it counts. Sure, there are areas to improve—the 15 turnovers were a bit messy, and free-throw shooting hovered around 75%, which could hurt against tougher opponents. But overall, this performance gives me hope for the World Cup ahead. It echoes that never-say-die spirit we saw from Rain or Shine, and if Gilas can harness that consistently, they’ll be a force to reckon with. I’m excited to see how they build on this, and as a fan, I’ll be right there, cheering them on every step of the way.