Gilas Pilipinas’ Carl Tamayo. Photo from Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

MANILA (UPDATED) — Gilas Pilipinas remained unbeaten in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after its displayed dominance over Hong Kong.

The Nationals closed in on a spot in next year's Asia Cup in Saudi after they dismantled Hong Kong, 93-54, in their Group B encounter on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Carl Tamayo had one of his best games in the men's team, putting up a game-high 16 points with five rebounds, while following him were June Mar Fajardo and Justin Brownlee who tallied 14 and 13, respectively.

"Pinag handaan talaga namin 'to, and nag bunga naman yung pinaghirapan namin," said Tamayo after the game, while also sharing some pointers that helped him show out against Hong Kong. 

"[Coach Tim Cone] always talks to me on what I should adjust sa game ko, especially on being more matured, being more relaxed in the game. That's the thing na lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, which I'm trying to improve on. I'm very blessed to have coach Tim as my coach sa national team because he's guiding me," added the former University of the Philippines star who now plays for the Changwon LG Sakers in the Korean Basketball League.

Also starring anew was Kai Sotto, as the 7-foot-3 star delivered early in the contest and finished with a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double to go along with two blocks and two assists.

READ: Sotto, Brownlee power Gilas to statement win over New Zealand

READ: Kai Sotto downplays stellar outing for Gilas against New Zealand

This victory put Gilas at the top of their group after the second window as they now post a 4-0 record. Aside from sweeping the first two windows, they are now also a New Zealand win against Chinese Taipei away from making their Asia Cup berth official.

In the opener, after both squads went toe-to-toe for the first five minutes — with Hong Kong even leading 10-9 at one point — the Nationals rediscovered its form as the first and second quarter bridged, and it was in the latter wherein they eventually broke away.

The Philippines turned a slim 27-25 lead in the second quarter into a 43-28 cushion with 3:15 in the second quarter's game clock after a Justin Brownlee basket off a Mason Amos offensive board and assist.

It was all Gilas from that point on, and they even led by as many as 39 just before the final buzzer sounded following a three-pointer by Amos with under a minute left in the game.

This was Amos' debut in the seniors' team, and he finished with three markers. Aside from him, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, and Scottie Thompson also showed up in front of the over 11,000 fans at the Pasay Bay-side arena.

Perez did most of his damage in the second half and finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Newsome posted nine markers and four dimes,

Quiambao made his mark, meanwhile, with eight points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Thompson was solid with eight markers, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Dwight Ramos did not see action for the Philippines for he was dealing with a calf injury. 

On the other hand, Hong Kong, which fell to 0-4, was paced by Shiu Wah Leung and Oliver Xu who scored 11 and 10, respectively.