Dwight Ramos led Gilas with 19 points, including nine in the third quarter where he and Brownlee joined hands in instigating a 17-3 blitz that allowed the national side to erect a 58-41 lead. The Mustangs inched to within 56-64, but Gilas jacked the lead back to 14 on a triple each by Ramos and Mason Amos to seal the win. Gilas was coming off a three-day closed-door training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
The Mustangs, who are also preparing for the third leg of the Asian Tournament, played without recent recruit, former NBA stars Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins, as well as ex-Golden State Warriors gunner Quinn Cook. But the Taiwan club team mentored by former Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina, did not go down without a fight.