GILAS Pilipinas unleashed a huge third-quarter run then knocked down clutch shots in the endgame to take down world No. 22 New Zealand, 93-89, on Thursday night in a FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifier at the packed Mall of Asia Arena.
The Nationals went on a critical 16-0 run that turned a four-point deficit into a 72-60 lead late in the third quarter in front of an animated home crowd that filled the Pasay venue to the brim.
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Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson were responsible for the game-changing run as Gilas finally ended the Tall Blacks’ unbeaten slate over the Philippines in FIBA competitions, based on the record by the international federation.
Gilas also showed composure to stave off an uprising by the Tall Blacks in the fourth quarter, knocking down clutch shots that included Chris Newsome's three off a timeout with 1:09 left to give Gilas a 91-84 advantage.
By ruining the New Zealand coaching debut of Judd Flavell, Gilas also stayed undefeated in the qualifiers with a 3-0 win-loss record in Group B, moving closer to booking a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The Philippines can formally book a ticket to Asia Cup next year to be played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August with a victory over Hong Kong on Sunday, also at the MOA Arena.
The Philippines will also be going for a sweep of Hong Kong in the qualifiers after its 94-64 win in an away game last February 22. The visiting HK side lost to Chinese-Taipei, 85-55, also on Thursday night.
Brownlee had 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists as he looked refreshed after a brief break following Barangay Ginebra's loss to the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Sotto had a huge all-around game with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists -a near triple-double that marked the 7-foot-3 Japan B.League mainstay's best game in with the Gilas men's team.
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Thompson played his first game back with Gilas Pilipinas after missing the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia and added 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
Tall Blacks veteran Corey Webster had 25 points but his effort was not enough as New Zealand suffered its first loss in three games.
Tom Vodanovich, a former import of Converge in the PBA, added 19 points and gave Gilas fans a scare with a three-pointer to cut their deficit to 91-89 with 20 seconds left, before Brownlee settled the final score with two free throws.
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.
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