Gilas Pilipinas pulls off first win over New Zealand in FIBA competition

Gilas Pilipinas unleashed a staggering third-quarter surge, sealing the game with clutch shots down the stretch to topple world No. 22 New Zealand, 93-89, on Thursday night in a thrilling FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifier at the electrifying Mall of Asia Arena.

The Nationals ignited a pivotal 16-0 run that flipped a four-point deficit into a commanding 72-60 lead late in the third quarter, much to the delight of an exuberant home crowd that packed the Pasay venue to full capacity.

Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson were instrumental in this game-changing sequence, enabling Gilas to snap the Tall Blacks’ unbeaten record against the Philippines in FIBA competitions, according to the international federation’s stats.

Displaying remarkable composure, Gilas effectively countered a resurgence from the Tall Blacks in the fourth quarter, nailing key shots, including a crucial three-pointer by Chris Newsome right off a timeout with only 1:09 remaining, extending the lead to 91-84.

By spoiling the New Zealand coaching debut of Judd Flavell, Gilas preserved their unbeaten streak in the qualifiers, boasting a flawless 3-0 record in Group B, edging closer to securing a coveted spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.

The Philippines can officially clinch a ticket to next year’s Asia Cup, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this August, with a victory over Hong Kong on Sunday, also at the MOA Arena.

Gilas will also aim for a sweep of Hong Kong in the qualifiers, having previously dominated them 94-64 in an away matchup on February 22. Meanwhile, the visiting Hong Kong squad fell to Chinese-Taipei, 85-55, earlier on Thursday.

Brownlee shone brightly with a stellar performance, notching 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, looking rejuvenated after a short timeout following Barangay Ginebra’s defeat to the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

Sotto delivered an impressive all-around display, contributing 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists—a near triple-double that marked the towering 7-foot-3 Japan B.League star’s finest showing with the Gilas men’s team.

Thompson made his triumphant return to Gilas Pilipinas following his absence during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia, adding 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists to the effort.

Tall Blacks veteran Corey Webster led his team with 25 points, but his valiant effort wasn’t enough to prevent New Zealand from suffering their first defeat of the qualifiers.

Tom Vodanovich, a former Converge import in the PBA, added 19 points and sent chills through the Gilas fanbase with a three-pointer that narrowed the gap to 91-89 with just 20 seconds left, before Brownlee sealed the game with two clutch free throws.

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.

Quarterscores: 20-22, 45-45, 72-63, 93-89.