NEW Zealand routed Hong Kong, 92-51, on Thursday, setting the stage for the battle for the No. 1 spot in the group stage with Gilas Pilipinas on the final playdate of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
Jordan Ngatai had 20 points, Reuben Te Rangi had 18 points, and the two made an immediate impact for New Zealand after skipping the Tall Blacks’ campaign in the November window of the qualifiers.
With the victory, the Tall Blacks matched Gilas Pilipinas' 4-1 (win-loss) record in Group B after the Philippines’ 91-84 defeat to Chinese Taipei earlier in the day.
READ Chinese Taipei endures Brownlee's 39 points to beat Gilas in thriller
New Zealand and Philippines will play on Sunday in Auckland for fifirst place in Group B, which could mean a favorable draw come the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 proper in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August.
Tai Wynyard had 13 points, while Tohi Smith-Milner added 11 points for the Tall Blacks, who will be looking to gain a measure of revenge against Gilas on Sunday after losing, 93-89, last November 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Duncan Reid had 17 points for Hong Kong in a game that also saw Eastern player Glen Yang suit up for the country for the first time in international competitions, scoring four points for the squad.
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