Boomers through to Semis at Asia Cup

Sydney Kings star Jaylin Galloway continued his hot form and had plenty of help as the Australian Boomers won through to the FIBA Asia Cup semi finals with the 84-60 win over the Philippines.

The quarter finals at the Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia got underway on Wednesday with the Boomers looking to remain undefeated as the defending championship up against the Philippines.

It also is the first time that Australia and the Philippines have played one another since the infamous Asia Cup qualifier in the Philippines back in 2018 that descended into farcical scenes.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and it would prove a quarter-final played in good spirits. But Australia proved too strong with five players scoring in double-figures for the 24-point win.

Galloway could well be the player of the tournament as he returns from the shoulder injury that ended his NBL25 prematurely at the Kings. He got Australia off to the fast start with a three to open the game.

Owen Foxwell then hit one too from deep before Galloway landed a second, and a third. In less than four minutes it was a 16-4 lead for the Boomers when Jack McVeigh got in on the three-point fun.

Australia would remain in control the rest of the way leading 29-12 by quarter-time before extending that advantage to 48-28 by the half-time break.

Even with the Philippines outscoring the Boomers 22 to 21 in the third quarter, Australia finished with 15 to 10 in the final period for the 24-point victory.

The Boomers dominated the glass with 57 rebounds to 36 including 19 at the offensive end for 20 second chance points along with the only nine fast break points of the game, and 38 points in the paint to 20.

Jaylin Galloway finished with another 15 points and three rebounds with 4/6 three-point shooting for Australia with South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Owen Foxwell delivering 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.

New Cairns Taipan Jack McVeigh also had 12 points, four rebounds and two assists, Xavier Cooks 10 point and seven boards, Will Magnay 10 points and six rebounds, Jack White eight points, eight boards and three blocks, and Davo Hickey five points, five rebounds and four assists.

Kevin Quiambao finished with 17 points and four rebounds for the Philippines with Dwight Ramos adding 15 points and seven boards, and Justin Brownlee 10 points and four assists.

Australia now advance to the semi finals on Saturday where they will play the winner of Wednesday night's other quarter-final between Iran and Chinese Taipei.

The other two quarter finals take place on Thursday night starting with China against Korea before the New Zealand Tall Blacks are in action against Lebanon, who had to beat Japan to qualify for the quarters.

‍FIBA ASIA CUP SAUDI ARABIA 2025 QUARTER FINALS

AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS 84 (Galloway 15, Foxwell 15, McVeigh 12)

PHILIPPINES 60 (Quiambao 17, Ramos 15, Brownlee 10)

BOX SCORE

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