GILAS Pilipinas weathered a flat start and New Zealand's fiery shooting to keep the score tied, 45-45, at halftime of their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifier on Thursday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Philippines trailed 8-0 to begin the game, but finally hit its stride over the course of the match-up to put itself in position to finally win over New Zealand in FIBA competition.
READ Can Gilas end an eight-year losing slump vs NZ Tall Blacks?
Justin Brownlee scored 11 points including a three-pointer after a block of his own that put Gilas Pilipinas ahead, 43-39, late in the second quarter.
Scottie Thompson also had a solid first half, finishing with nine points, while Kai Sotto added eight points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Dwight Ramos got the crowd alive with a lay-up with 28 seconds left, but former Converge import Tom Vodanovich drained a three to level the score at the half.
Tall Blacks veteran and team captain Corey Webster and Sam Waardenburg did the most damage for New Zealand with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Webster went 3-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc for the Tall Blacks, who made 50 percent of their shots (10-of-20) from that area in the first half.
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