GILAS Pilipinas managed to establish itself as one of Asia’s greatest basketball teams.
The Tim Cone-coached squad defeated New Zealand, 93-89, in their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers game Thursday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Justin Brownlee dispelled any concerns about his status as the team’s reinforcement by scoring a game-high 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
At the same time, Kai Sotto played one of his best performances for Flag and Country, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while dishing out seven assists, two steals, and two blocks.
“It was a tough one,” Cone admitted after the game.
“Our guys were under pressure to win, and they found a way to win. Give credit to our guys. In the second half, we challenged and made [NZ] work for their three-pointers,” he said, as PH still won despite their opponents shooting 18-of-35 from beyond the arc.
Brownlee scored two critical foul throws to extend Gilas’ advantage to four, 88-84, with only 1:45 left in the game, while the Nationals’ defense also worked wonders, forcing New Zealand hotshot Corey Webster to miss at the 1:31 mark.
Chris Newsome then delivered the dagger with only 1:09 remaining, settling a three-pointer to give the Philippines a commanding 91-84 lead.
The Tall Blacks, on the other hand, declined to give in just yet, as Tom Vodannovich proceeded on a personal five-to-nothing spurt that was capped by a three-pointer with only 20 seconds remaining in the game, bringing New Zealand within two points, 91–89.
Fortunately for the Philippines, that proved to be as close as the Kiwis could go, as Brownlee sealed the game with a brilliant run to the foul line with only 11 ticks remaining.
This was the Philippines’ first victory over New Zealand in four games dated back to 2016. Aside from making history, Gilas improved to 3-0 in Group B, bringing them closer to securing a spot in next year’s Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia.
“That’s what we’re here for, to win these types of games,” Cone stated after their historic victory. “We played Brazil without Kai, Scottie, AJ Edu, and Jamie Malonzo, and we haven’t even seen our best team yet. We have beaten No.6 and No.22 because they’re giving it their all. It wasn’t great coaching, it was just great players.”
Scottie Thompson, Newsome, and Dwight Ramos, in addition to Brownlee and Sotto, all contributed to the victory.
Thompson, who missed the 2024 Olympic Qualifiers due to injury in July, returned to the national squad with 12 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Newsome finished with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Ramos added 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Earlier in the third quarter, Gilas trailed 60-56 after a three-pointer by Sam Waardenburg at 4:33, but rallied with a 16-0 run led by Sotto, Thompson, Brownlee, Newsome, and Carl Tamayo to take a 72-60 lead.
Webster stemmed the bleeding with a three-pointer to end the third quarter and pull his side within nine points, which helped the Tall Blacks stay within five, 74-69, after a slam by Tyrell Harrison at the 7:19 mark of the fourth quarter.
Gilas survived a flat 13-to-4 start in the first half by the Kiwis, who were propelled by three-pointers from Webster and Waardenburg, as well as a double from Walter Brown in the first 2:30 of play.
The Nationals were able to keep within the range and get within one, 18-17, following a run completed by an up-and-under by Sotto with 1:44 left in the period, and a three-pointer by Calvin Oftana 50 seconds later put them up by two, 20-18.
The Philippines also had to endure two straight treys by Webster and Waardenburg in the initial stages of the second frame, with these baskets putting New Zealand up 28-20, as Thompson, Brownlee, and Ramos allowed Gilas to tie the game at 45 at halftime, before the second-half surge that eventually won them the game.
Meanwhile, New Zealand fell to 2-1 in Group B, powered by Webster’s 25 points and five assists, and former Converge FIberXers import Vodanovich’s 19 points, 15 of which came from beyond the arc.
On Sunday, November 25, at 7:30 p.m., the Philippines will meet Hong Kong at the same Pasay location.
