MANILA, Philippines – The last time Gilas Pilipinas hosted New Zealand, the Tall Blacks gave the Filipinos a 25-point beating.
Times have changed.
For the first time in a FIBA setting, the Philippines beat New Zealand and defended its turf with a 93-89 victory in the second window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, November 21.
Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto turned in all-around performances as the Nationals scored a breakthrough win over the world No. 22 Tall Blacks after losing in all of their four previous encounters.
Two of those losses were at home, with the Philippines suffering an 89-80 defeat in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2016 and an 88-63 drubbing in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in 2022.
But the Filipinos have had enough.
Sotto flirted with a triple-double and finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Brownlee delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the win that hiked the Philippines’ record to 3-0 in Group B.
“It’s a really good, really great team win — offensively and defensively,” said the 7-foot-3 Sotto. “We had lapses in the first half, but in the second half, we picked up. I think everybody did a good job in this win.”
Putting on arguably his finest performance for the senior squad, Sotto took over in a third-quarter turnaround that saw the hosts swing a 56-60 deficit to a 72-63 lead going into the final salvo.
Sotto scored 5 straight points in that pivotal 16-3 run before Gilas leaned on Brownlee in the fourth period, where he knocked in two pressure-packed free throws with 11.1 seconds left for the final tally.
Chris Newsome likewise came through at both ends, highlighting his 11-point, 4-rebound, 3-assist, 2 steal outing with a huge triple that gave the Nationals a 91-84 breathing room in the closing minutes.
“It was a tough one. They are good, they are really good,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone of the Tall Blacks. “They are incredibly physical, and I think that’s the number one thing we had to battle through.”
On top of the physicality, the Filipinos also survived the Kiwis’ shooting barrage, with New Zealand knocking in 18 three-pointers on a 51.4% clip (18-of-35).
The last of those triples came with 20 seconds left as former PBA import Tom Vodanovich capped a personal 5-0 blitz with a long bomb to pull the Tall Blacks within 89-91.
But Brownlee, who went 9-of-11 from the free throw line, calmly sank a pair of foul shots to seal the deal and send the mammoth crowd of 16,666 to a frenzy.
Scottie Thompson delivered in his national team return after missing the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with 12 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Dwight Ramos supplied 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Corey Webster finished with 25 points and 5 assists for New Zealand, which dropped to second place in Group B with a 2-1 record.
Vodanovich and Sam Waardenburg put up 19 points each and combined for 10 rebounds in the loss.
The Scores
Philippines 93 – Brownlee 26, Sotto 19, Thompson 12, Newsome 11, Ramos 11, Fajardo 6, Perez 3, Oftana 3, Tamayo 2, Aguilar 0.
New Zealand 89 – Webster 25, Vodanovich 19, Waardenburg 19, Britt 8, Le’afa 6, Brown 5, Harris 3, Cameron 2, Harrison 2.
Quarters: 20-22, 45-45, 72-63, 93-89.
– Rappler.com