Tag: experience

Gilas’ Justin Brownlee savors first Fiba OQT experience

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Gilas Pilipinas forward Justin Brownlee during a game against Brazil in the Fiba OQT semifinal in Riga, Latvia.–FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas may not have punched its ticket to the Paris Olympics after bowing out of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament semifinal at the hands of Brazil but Justin Brownlee still took something positive at the end of their campaign.

After all, the experience allowed Brownlee to test his mettle against some of the world’s best teams in his first time playing in the OQT. And that alone was a reason for the naturalized forward to be proud of.

“I haven’t had too many opportunities like this. This is actually my first opportunity as far as playing in the Olympic Qualifiers. As a team, we’re going to just take these experiences and just try to move forward and get better,” Brownlee said in an interview with BasketNews.

READ: Tim Cone on Gilas’ Fiba OQT campaign: Now we know we can compete

“Coming in and playing in hostile environments, playing against Latvia, was a great experience with their crowd and how they are supporting their team.”

Facing a tall order heading into the qualifiers, Gilas–led by Brownlee–came just two wins short of fulfilling its Olympic dream after losing to Brazil, 71-60, at Arena Riga in Latvia Saturday night (Manila time).

Brownlee tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block to lead Gilas against Brazil, which had to overcome an early double-digit deficit.

The 36-year-old Brownlee ended his OQT stint as the leading scorer in Group A, averaging 23 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. His best game came against world No. 6 Latvia, powering Gilas’ impressive 89-80 victory with 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

READ: NBA teams that passed up on Brownlee have given PH valuable gift

But as Gilas’ naturalized player, Brownlee couldn’t avoid being compared to Jordan Clarkson, who played the same role as the longtime Ginebra import back by reinforcing the Philippine team in the Fiba World Cup in Manila.

The comparisons to the NBA star, however, don’t seem to bother Brownlee.

“I just try to play my game,” said a confident Brownlee.

“Clarkson is an incredible player; he’s killing [it] in the NBA. I’ve been a fan of him. I’ve seen him in the World Cup games. He’s an incredible player, but me myself, I just try to play my game and try to do the best I can.”



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Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

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USA huddles during a timeout in a VNL 2024 game against Japan.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA captain Micah Christenson had a first Manila trip to remember despite the Americans missing the Final Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

The United States wrapped up its campaign in Manila with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 loss to Japan in a much-awaited clash between the two fan favorites played before an ecstatic 12,424 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

The Americans, last year’s runners-up will miss the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, but Christenson and his teammates will bring great memories with them as they head back home and gear up for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila so, wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match, but at the same time it was good volleyball, it was really good volleyball out there on the court,” said the star setter, who only played late in the third set as both squads decided to rest most of their key cogs.

“I’m really proud of our guys and how we fought and how we battled. So now, we’re just gonna keep learning from our experience but, our trip in Manila was a great success based on our experience.”

American stars Matt Anderson and TJ Defalco sat the game out as Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji were the remaining starters in the match.

Still, Christenson praised Japan for its solid showing with Kento Miyaura stepping up big time. 

“We showed our level in a lot of the sets, but towards the end of the sets, Japan really turned their serving pressure on especially, Miyaura, at the end of at least the last two sets, he came in with some really big serves,” he said.

READ: VNL 2024: USA posts second straight win ahead of Japan clash

The Americans may have missed the Final Eight in Poland after splitting their four matches in Manila. But they will come home with big smiles on their faces.

Christenson and the United States now shift their focus to the Paris Games, where they hope to take home the gold.

“It’s great. We’re gonna need everybody at the Olympics, so, from the top down, we’re gonna need everybody on this team. So to be able to have the ability to give them experience in a big game, in a sold-out crowd against Japan is a wonderful experience,” he said 



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With dream within reach, Bong Quinto draws from experience

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Meralco Bolts guard Bong Quinto in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Bong Quinto likened his current situation in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals to his experience at the collegiate level.

On Friday at Araneta Coliseum, the Bolts moved one win away from taking their first PBA championship which has proved elusive since their emergence in the league.

Quinto’s in quite the familiar scenario.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco needs to ‘play with poise’ to close out San Miguel

Back in 2015, Quinto played collegiate ball for Letran as a second-year shooting guard.

In the Knights’ Finals series with San Beda in that NCAA season, Letran won the first game and immediately smelled blood in the water with the NCAA championship in their sights.

Unfortunately for the Aldin Ayo-led squad, coach Jamike Jarin and the Red Lions unloaded a huge Game 2 effort which forced a deciding game for the Season 91 championship.

“Back in Letran, we were first [to win], 1-0. Then, it became 1-1 which reached a Game 3. That one had an overtime,” recalled Quinto at Araneta Coliseum on Friday after their 92-88 win over San Miguel in Game 5 to take the pivotal 3-2 lead.

Meralco Bolts in Game 5 of the PBA philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen

Meralco Bolts in Game 5 of the PBA philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Letran eventually won the championship that was already within its grasp but the Knights had to withstand five extra minutes with San Beda in a thrilling 85-82 victory.

Quinto hopes to have the same victorious ending this time and the Bolts have two chances to close out the mighty Beermen with the PBA Finals now a virtual best-of-three series

READ: PBA Finals: History on the side of Meralco Bolts after Game 5 win

But he’s well aware that the PBA Finals is a different beast. A beast that he has hoped to conquer since he was a little kid.

“This is different because this is my dream. Before Letran, this was already my dream since I was a kid, to experience a championship in the PBA, at the same time, it’s also All-Filipino.”

Quinto silently chipped in eight points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win that pushed the Bolts to one win away from the elusive championship.

But while Quinto and the Bolts just need one victory to achieve history, he has certainly learned from his experiences in Letran.

“I don’t want to celebrate yet, honestly. Even if we have an advantage, it’s not over until this series is over. I’ve also been sleepless for how many nights now, from [our series against] Ginebra until now. I’m just so excited that I have an opportunity to play in every game.”

“I’m not wasting this because when you think about it, we just need one more win, right? This has been my dream and the dreams that my family has for me and it might be fulfilled.”



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Quinto hopes to bring his dream to full circle on Sunday at the same venue at 6:15 pm.