Ahead of a new FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers window, Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson lead Gilas Pilipinas in major statistical categories.
Numbers don't lie.
Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson did most of the heavy lifting, numbers-wise, in the first window FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers last February that resulted in blowout wins for Gilas Pilipinas against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.
As the second window commences this week, the three national team stalwarts are at the forefront of three major statistical departments and will look to take charge anew with Gilas taking on New Zealand on November 21, followed by a second game against Hong Kong on November 24.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas duel New Zealand for solo Group B lead | FIBA standings]
Justin Brownlee - 21.0 PPG
Just where would Gilas Pilipinas be without Justin Brownlee?
The six-time PBA champion emerged as leading scorer in the pair of Gilas wins in the opening window earlier this year.
Brownlee topscored the squad with 16 markers in a 94-64 beatdown of Hong Kong, a game that also saw three other Gilas players scoring in double-digits.
Brownlee then added 26 more, on top of 13 rebounds and five assists, in a 53-point shellacking of Chinese Taipei.
While his 21 points per game in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers might pale in comparison to his PBA numbers, Brownlee remains as the undisputed first option for the national team.
Sotto came in second averaging 15.5 points, followed by Kevin Quiambao’s 12.5 points per outing.
Kai Sotto - 12.5 RPG
Given his 7'3” frame, there’s no surprise that Kai Sotto was the top rebounder for Gilas Pilipinas on their way to a 2-0 start in Group B.
Besides his 13-point outing, Sotto was a man among boys in crashing the boards with a team-high 15 rebounds against Hong Kong.
That trend continued after the Koshigaya Alphas’ big man showcased his best scoring night for Gilas Pilipinas, putting up 18 markers and hauling down 10 rebounds against Chinese Taipei.
Sotto will now face an acid test when he battles a more physical and rugged Tall Blacks squad on Thursday in a match that could decide first place in Group B.
Brownlee, meanwhile, emerged as the team’s second-leading rebounder averaging 10 a game.
Scottie Thompson - 9.0 APG
There’s no question why Scottie Thompson is head coach Tim Cone’s go-to playmaker.
Whether it is in Ginebra or Gilas, the former PBA MVP flourishes in his role. In the opening window, he averaged a team-leading 9.0 assists, showcasing his elite handle of the offense.
While also playing tenacious defense and his signature hustle, Thompson is expected to once again be a key piece in his return to the Gilas lineup.
Brownlee came in second, logging six assists a game while Chris Newsome registered 3.5 dimes per outing for the national team.
[NEXT: Road to FIBA Asia Cup: How Gilas Pilipinas can clinch berth this November]