MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team finally recorded their first-ever win against New Zealand Tall Blacks with a 93-89 escape in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Justin Brownlee posted a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds to go with four assists, two steals, and two blocks as the national men’s basketball team stayed perfect in Group B after three matches.
Kai Sotto stepped up with a near triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, Earl Scottie Thompson finished with 12 markers, while Dwight Ramos and Chris Newsome ended with 11 points apiece for Gilas Pilipinas.
New Zealand was scorching to start the game as they took an early 10-2 lead but Gilas Pilipinas responded with conversions from Brownlee and Sotto to take a 20-18 lead, but the Tall Blacks answered four straight points for a 22-20 lead.
The Tall Blacks opened the second quarter with consecutive three-pointers for a 28-20 advantage, but Gilas Pilipinas leaned on baskets from Thompson for a 32-31 lead before settling for a 45-all score at the half.
Gilas Pilipinas trailed 56-60 midway through the third period before they went on a 16-0 scoring blast behind Newsome, Thompson, Sotto, Brownlee, and Carl Tamayo for a 72-60 advantage.
New Zealand became aggressive to start the fourth quarter as they managed to cut the deficit to 76-80 but Brownlee and Ramos showed steadiness from the free throw line before Newsome uncorked a huge triple for a 91-84 advantage.
The Tall Black, however, made their last push with five straight points to cut the deficit to 89-91 but Brownlee calmly converted two free throws late in the game to seal the win for Gilas Pilipinas.
Corey Webster led the way for the Tall Blacks with 25 points, including five three-point conversions, while Thomas Vodanovich and Sam Waardenburg added 19 markers apiece as they dropped to a 2-1 mark.
Gilas Pilipinas can secure their place in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, scheduled from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, when they beat Hong Kong on Sunday night at the MOA Arena./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 93 – Brownlee 26, Sotto 19, Thompson 12, Ramos 11, Newsome 11, Fajardo 6, Oftana 3, Perez 3, Tamayo 2, Aguilar 0.
NEW ZEALAND 89 – Webster 25, Waardenburg 19, Vodanovich 19, Britt 8, Lea’fa 6, Brown 5, Harris 3, Cameron 2, Harrison 2.
Quarterscores: 20-22, 45-45, 72-63, 93-89.
