EIGHT players from the last window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers return for New Zealand’s game against Gilas Pilipinas on Friday in Auckland.
Sam Mennenga lead the returning Tall Blacks from the team that defeated the Philippines, 69-66, last February 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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Also coming back for the Gilas game from the previous window are Jordan Ngatayi, Taylor Britt, Tohi Smith-Milner, Carlin Davidson, Taine Murray, Reuben Te Rangi, and Keanu Rasmussen.
Tai Webster, Sam Waardenburg, Shea Ili, and Sam Timmins complete the Tall Blacks roster against Gilas for Window 3 as they go up against each other once again at the Spark Arena.
Mennenga had a double-double against Gilas during the last window when he went for 10 points and 14 rebounds in the three-point win.
Ngatai and Britt also had notable games against Gilas during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah.
Ngatai had 22 points and a perfect 5-of-5 from threes, while Britt had 19 points and eight assists during the Tall Blacks’ 94-86 victory over Gilas during their group stage duel in the Asia Cup.
Notably absent from the Tall Blacks roster for Friday is Max Darling, the 6-foot-6 forward who gave Gilas problems by scoring a game-high 11 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from the field including two threes.
Darling also posed problems for Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup when he had eight points and three rebounds in 17 minutes of action.
“It’s great to have the continuity. It’s always been an important piece for any Tall Black team,” Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell said in an interview with the Basketball New Zealand website.
The Tall Blacks have a four-game winning streak against Gilas entering the match-up.
“When it comes to the Philippines, we seem to know a bit about each other now. This will be our fifth match-up with them in the last two years,” Flavell said.
New Zealand currently shares second place with the Philippines in Group A with a 2-2 win-loss record, but has yet to secure a place in the second round which goes to the top three teams in each of the four groups.
Aside from the Philippines, New Zealand will be going up against Jericho Cruz and Guam on July 6 at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland.
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