NEW Zealand got back at South Korea, 93-84, to clinch a spot in the second round of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers on Monday in Seoul.
The Tall Blacks got 30 points from Corey Webster in the win that avenged their stunning 86-80 loss to the Sokors in the opening round last November and spoiled the debut of naturalized player Ricardo Ratliffe for the home team.
Ratliffe, the former Star Hotshots import whose naturalization was only approved last month, had a monster game for Korea with 29 points and 11 rebounds.
But the numbers were not enough to save the day for the Sokors, who fell to an even 2-2 record in Group A.
Ratliffe, ironically, has Ra Gun-ah for his Korean name, meaning Robust Man.
The Tall Blacks, meanwhile, are on a roll after beating China in Goyang on Thursday, 82-73, before sustaining the gains with the big win over South Korea.
The Chinese are currently in second place with a 2-1 card prior to its meeting with Hong Kong.
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