Gilas Pilipinas bounced back in emphatic fashion at the 2026 Asian Games, dismantling Kazakhstan, 109–78, on Saturday, September 12, at the Aichi International Arena in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The 31-point victory gave the Philippines its first win in the tournament and revived its hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals after a painful 89–85 loss to Bahrain in its opening game.
The victory was highlighted by the explosive performances of Jerrick Ahanmisi and Robert Bolick, who combined for 42 points.
Ahanmisi erupted for 22 points, including seven three-pointers, while Bolick bounced back from a scoreless performance against Bahrain with 20 points and two assists. GMA News reported that Bolick scored 13 points during a decisive 20–2 run in the second quarter before Ahanmisi caught fire from beyond the arc in the final period.
Gilas started aggressively, racing to an 11–0 advantage behind Calvin Oftana before Kazakhstan responded with a 10–0 run of its own. The Philippines still held an 18–15 lead after the opening quarter.
The second quarter became the turning point.
Bolick took over offensively, knocking down three three-pointers and scoring 13 points in the period as Gilas stretched its advantage to 38–17. The Philippines entered halftime ahead, 50–37.
Kazakhstan refused to go away quietly. The Central Asian squad trimmed the deficit to nine points at 67–58 late in the third quarter, but Gilas responded immediately and carried an 82–66 advantage into the final period.
Ahanmisi then delivered the knockout blow.
The guard drilled five three-pointers in the fourth quarter as Gilas pulled away decisively. Oftana and Don Trollano also added shots from long range as the Philippines completed the 109–78 rout.
Oftana, who exploded for 31 points in the opening-game loss to Bahrain, finished with 12 points against Kazakhstan. Zav Lucero contributed 10 points and nine rebounds, while Sedrick Barefield added 11 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Bombo Radyo Iloilo likewise reported the 109–78 victory, noting the 22-point performance of Ahanmisi and 20 points from Bolick. The report also recalled Gilas’ 89–85 defeat to Bahrain in its first game.
The win moves Gilas Pilipinas to 1–1 in Group C, while Kazakhstan falls to 0–2.
But the job is far from finished.
The Philippines’ next assignment is a crucial showdown against undefeated China, which entered the matchup with a 2–0 record. GMA News and other reports identified the China game as the next major hurdle in Gilas’ bid to reach the quarterfinals.
Gilas entered the Asian Games as the defending men’s basketball champion after its historic gold-medal run in Hangzhou in 2023. This year’s squad is an all-PBA roster, with players such as Bolick, Ahanmisi, Abarrientos, Barefield, Oftana, Lucero and others carrying the country’s title-defense hopes.
The loss to Bahrain had placed immediate pressure on the Philippines, with the team needing strong results in the remaining group games to improve its chances of reaching the knockout stage. PNA reported before the Kazakhstan game that Gilas was grouped with Bahrain, Kazakhstan and China in Pool C.
Now, after the 31-point statement against Kazakhstan, Gilas has given itself another chance.
But the biggest test is next.
China stands between Gilas Pilipinas and a potentially crucial place in the Asian Games quarterfinals.
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