Gilas Pilipinas knew it would be going up against a “lot, lot better” Chinese Taipei squad in their return match in the third and final window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.

That forecast turned out to be true on Thursday night as the Nationals fell to the vengeful hosts, 91-84, at Taipei Heping Stadium, dealing coach Tim Cone and the Filipinos their first blemish in the qualifiers that serves as a prelude for the continental tournament that will be held in Saudi Arabia this August.

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LIVE: Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei at Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers

“I thought the Chinese-Taipei team was very impressive. We made a couple of runs at them, we were hoping they would crack, but they never did,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone.

“They kept their composure, kept making big shots. Very impressive win by them, and they were well deserving.”

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The Philippines, already qualified for the flagship showcase, clawed back from 13 points down and took the lead, 80-79, with 3:56 left in the contest that the Gilas brain trust is using to reintegrate several players at a time the program will have to deal with the long absence of injured Kai Sotto.

But endgame lapses, along with the Chinese-Taipei’s efficient long-distance shooting, proved too much for the Gilas, allowing the home crew to notch a second win  that also breathed life into its bid to make the continental showpiece via a wild card spot.

Naturalized ace Justin Brownlee had 39 points built on eight triples, his Herculean performance unable to bail the Nationals out this time.

Gilas Pilipinas guard Dwight Ramos during a Fiba Asia Cup qualifying match against Chinese Taipei. –FIBA PHOTO

Dwight Ramos chipped in 15 points and five rebounds, while comebacking big man AJ Edu 10 and six. June Mar Fajardo added nine points, Chris Newsome seven more, as Scottie Thompson rounded out the contributions with four.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers third window

Lin Ting-Chien and Mohammad Gadiaga both had 21 points to lead Chinese Taipei. Lu Chun Hsiang added 18 points including a clutch 3 with .49 seconds left while naturalized big man Brandon Gilbeck chipped in six points and seven rebounds, his plays down the crunch dousing Gilas’ last-ditch effort.

The Philippines will try to finish the qualifiers on a good note when it battles another vengeful—and retooled—squad in New Zealand this Sunday in Auckland.

“A lot of credit to Chinese Taipei. They bounced back from the last time we played them,” Brownlee said, referring to the 106-53 beating they handed Chinese-Taipei last year in Pasig City.

“Like coach said, they hit some big shots every time we tried to get a rhythm or make a run. They just responded really well. It was a hard-fought game, and so congrats to them.”

Next up for the Philippines is New Zealand, another vengeful lot that will try to boost its chance at tabbing a high seeding for the Fiba Asia Cup where powerhouses like Lebanon, Japan, and World No. 7 Australia await.