GILAS PILIPINAS BEATS NEW ZEALAND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE FIBA ASIA CUP QUALIFIERS

Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for the first time to stay unbeaten in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (Photo courtesy of FIBA)

For the first time in FIBA history, Gilas Pilipinas defeated New Zealand, 93-89, on Thursday night in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The last time Gilas Pilipinas hosted New Zealand; the Tall Blacks gave the Filipinos a 25-point beating.

Coach Tim Cone did his role to accomplish this mission to win over the world No. 22 Tall Blacks. Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto turned in all-around performances as the Nationals scored a breakthrough with a 3-0 win-loss mark. 

Sotto finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Brownlee delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the win that hiked the Philippines’ record. Scottie Thompson delivered in his national team with 12 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Dwight Ramos supplied 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Philippines 93 – Brownlee 26, Sotto 19, Thompson 12, Newsome 11, Ramos 11, Fajardo 6, Perez 3, Oftana 3, Tamayo 2, Aguilar 0.

New Zealand 89 – Webster 25, Vodanovich 19, Waardenburg 19, Britt 8, Le’afa 6, Brown 5, Harris 3, Cameron 2, Harrison 2.

Quarters: 20-22, 45-45, 72-63, 93-89.

“Offensively, defensively we had lapses in the first half. But we picked things up and I think everybody did a good job contributing to our win. I think it all started with our preparations. Starting with our window in February, starting when the team was built, we just kept at it,” said Kai Sotto.

"It was a tough one. Man, they are good—they are really good. They are incredibly physical, and I think that’s the number one thing we had to battle through. We haven't seen our best team yet and yet we've been able to beat the no. 6 and no. 22 teams so we're still trying to see exactly where we can go and how far we can go," said the Gilas head coach.

The Philippines will face Hong Kong next on November 24 at the same venue, and is closer to sealing a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia set this August. 

Source: GMA Integrated News 

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