Philippines win first Asian Games basketball gold in 61 years

Hangzhou: The Philippines won their first men’s Asian Games basketball gold since 1962 on Friday in a 70-60 victory over Jordan with American-born Justin Brownlee pouring in 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Both sides started slowly in an error-riddled first quarter in Hangzhou, which the Philippines edged 17-12, but Jordan — seeking their first Asiad title — rallied to enter half-time level at 31-31.

The momentum shifted back to the Philippines in the third quarter and they took a 51-41 lead into the home stretch and then held their nerve for a famous victory.

Four titles in a row

Angelo Kouame added 14 points and Chris Newsome 13 for the Philippines, who won the title four times in a row from 1951 to 1962 but had made just one final since, in 1990.

As they went off the boil, China took over on the regional stage, winning eight of the last 11 gold with South Korea claiming the other three.

China clinch bronze

But there has been a changing of the guard in Hangzhou with South Korea failing to make the knockouts and China relegated to third, winning the bronze-medal match against Taiwan 101-73 ahead of the final.

Former Brooklyn Nets starter Rondae Hollis-Jefferson top-scored for Jordan with a game-high 24 points.

Both sides suffered early nerves in the first quarter, with Jordan sinking just three-from-17 field goals and the Philippines faring little better with six-from-18.

10-point buffer

But a three-pointer from Brownlee just before the buzzer gave the Philippines the edge heading into the second quarter and they stretched to a 13-point lead.

Huge back-to-back baskets outside the arc from Fadi Mustafa and Jefferson helped haul Jordan back into the game and they went to half-time level.

Jordan took the lead for the first time when Jefferson sank a two-pointer soon after the restart, but the Philippines kept coming and seized back control, led by Brownlee and Newsome.

Taking a 10-point buffer going into the final quarter, they survived some nervy moments and clung on.

Making amends

China, stunned by the Philippines on the buzzer by a point in the semi-finals, made amends against Taiwan in the third-place playoff.

Taiwan took a 49-46 advantage into half-time, but China came out swinging to dominate the third quarter 34-10 and set them on a victory course.

Young power forward Cui Yongxi led the way for the hosts with 20 points and five rebounds.