Photo credit: FIBA | fiba.basketball
World No. 34 and Asia's No. 7, Gilas Pilipinas Men (3-0), finally break the 'New Zealand curse' in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Gilas secured their first-ever win against World No. 22 Tall Blacks (2-1), 93-89, staying undefeated and taking the top spot in Group B on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. [VIDEO]
The Philippines ended an eight-year, four-game losing skid against the visiting Tall Blacks, led by Justin Brownlee, who delivered a double-double with 26 points (8/13 FG, 9/11 FT), 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 37 minutes of play.
Kai Sotto was three assists shy of a triple-double, as he tallied 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, a team-high 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 33 minutes. Scottie Thompson contributed 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Chris Newsome and Dwight Ramos each scored 11 points.
Gilas shot 47% from the field (34/72fg), including 8-of-27 shooting from beyond the arc. New Zealand had 32 out of 66 field goals and made 18 out of 35 attempts from three-point range. Gilas went 17 out of 20 from the free-throw line, while the Tall Blacks made 7 out of 12 free throws. The Philippines outrebounded New Zealand 44-31 and led in steals (6-3), blocks (4-3), and points in the paint (48-16).
Gilas (3-0) will face next the winless Hong Kong national team (0-3) on Sunday, November 24 at 7:30pm at the SM MOA Arena. [LIVE].
The Scores:
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. [GAME STATS] | [GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [JORDAN]
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