The Powerade-Team Pilipinas solidified their entry into the quarterfinals on Wednesday, winning against Kuwait, 85-71, to end their eight-final round assignment in the 25th FIBA-Asia Men's Basketball Championships in Tianjin, China.

The Nationals finished third in Group E with a 3-2 win-loss record, behind defending champions Iran and Korea which both finished with identical 4-0 cards.  They have actually won four games, including their first victory against Sri Lanka in the opener. They have previously beaten Japan and Chinese-Taipei.

The Filipinos erected their biggest lead of 19 points (83-64) with 02:12 left to play in the match courtesy of a basket by Japeth Aguilar, who saw action once more after being sidelined with a strained knee in the past two games.

"Considering everything worked, we are pretty satisfied with what has happened so far," RP head coach Yeng Guiao said in an interview quoted from the 2009 FIBA-Asia website. "We have already improved upon our ninth place in Tokushima, but we want to push it as far as we can."

Cyrus Baguio topscored for Team Pilipinas with 14 points.  Asi Taulava, playing with a seemingly renewed vigor, notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes.  Jared Dillinger and Kerby Raymundo also finished in double figures with 10 points apiece.

"Cyrus Baguio has been really consistent," Guiao said of his prized guard who has easily garnered a reputation as the most exciting player to watch in the tournament. 

The Philippines will take a breather on Thursday and will plunge into quarterfinals action on Friday against the loser of the China-Jordan match, which will be played at 7 p.m. later today.