Gilas Pilipinas will conclude their FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at New Zealand later as they take on the Tall Blacks in a game that will determine who finishes as the top team of Group B.
The game will also be repeat vs. revenge, as Gilas will be looking to prove its November 2024 victory over New Zealand was no fluke, while the Tall Blacks will try to get back at the Nationals.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel stalwarts Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson will once again banner Gilas. Brownlee and Thompson are two of six nationals who played all five games of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Chris Newsome, CJay Perez, Carl Tamayo, and Calvin Oftana are the other four and will join Brownlee and Thompson. Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, and Jamie Malonzo round out the team. Edu made his FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers against Chinese Taipei on Thursday. Malonzo, meanwhile, is yet to see the floor in this tournament.
What Happened Last Time Gilas and New Zealand Met?
In their first encounter back in November 2024, New Zealand looked headed for a blowout after scoring the game’s first eight points en route to finishing the first quarter on top, 28-20. But Gilas battled back in the second to tie the game heading into intermission.
The two teams were still within striking distance of each other, 60-56, when Gilas found a groove and unleashed a 16-0 blast to take a 72-60 advantage. But the Tall Blacks fought back in the fourth and got to within four a couple of times down the stretch. Gilas, though, proved stead in crunch time to eventually pull of a historic 93-89 victory—the country’s first against New Zealand.
Brownlee led the way for Gilas in that game with 26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Kai Sotto put up 19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Thompson and Chris Newsome also proved steady for Gilas, with Thompson chipping in 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists and Newsome adding 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Brownlee, Thompson, and Newsome will all try to carry Gilas again in the rematch. Unfortunately, Sotto won’t be around this time as he is still recovering from his ACL injury.
Game time is 10:00 a.m. at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
