Gilas is looking to score its first win against Asia Oceania powerhouse New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Gilas Pilipinas have yet to win against New Zealand in FIBA-sanctioned games.
That’s what the national team wishes to change when the Filipinos and the Tall Blacks collide in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Gametime is set on Nov. 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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Gilas has lost all four meetings against New Zealand, with the first one dating back to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2016 when the team was still under head coach Tab Baldwin.
Still, new Gilas coach Tim Cone is confident this iteration of the national team can hold its own — even win — against the world’s no. 22 squad.
“I just really feel like New Zealand has handled us over the last few years and they have beaten us pretty badly when we played them,” Cone said.
“But I really, really feel there’s a sense we can beat them this time around.”
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But before the two teams plunge into action, take a quick trip down memory lane and revisit their first four matches, which the Tall Blacks won by an average margin of 24.25 points.
FIBA Asia Cup in Indonesia (July 17, 2022)
The last time these two teams met, a relatively young Gilas crew led by Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks Jr. tried to score the country’s first win against the Tall Blacks.
Ravena’s 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists went down the drain as Flynn Cameron lifted New Zealand to a 92-75 win in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Other notable players at coach Chot Reyes’ disposal then were RJ Abarrientos, Rhenz Abando, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, Poy Erram, and Thirdy Ravena.
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FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers (June 30, 2022)
Though already assured of a World Cup slot, Gilas used the Asian Qualifiers as part of its preparations for the basketball conclave in Manila.
However, this turned out to be Gilas’ worst loss against New Zealand.
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While the aforementioned young Gilas crew was reinforced by Dwight Ramos, the loaded Tall Blacks put on a balanced attack to pick the Filipinos apart, 106-60.
Only Tamayo (16 points) and Abando (11) finished in double figures for the coach Nenad Vucinic-led Gilas.
FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers (Feb 27, 2022)
Months earlier, the Philippines could not protect their home court in the first round of the World Cup 2023 Asia Qualifiers.
New Zealand dealt Gilas an 88-63 beating at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tall Blacks brought their big guns to the Big Dome, with Dion Prewster and Thomas Vodanovich finishing with 20 points each, and Rob Loe contributing 15 in the win.
Gilas was not exactly young this time, with Kelly Williams, RR Pogoy, Erram, and Troy Rosario joining the squad.
But it was youngsters Thirdy Ravena and Ramos who paced the home team with 23 and 18 points, respectively.
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (July 6, 2016)
The first time they tested each other’s mettle, New Zealand needed to ward off Gilas late to come out victorious.
But under the guidance of Baldwin, Gilas held its own against the Tall Blacks.
This Gilas team was also stacked in every position, with Andray Blatche and two-time Best Point Guard in Asia Jayson Castro orchestrating the team’s attack.
While this team also had heavyweights like June Mar Fajardo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, Parks, and Jeff Chan, Gilas just could not deliver a haymaker.
Behind Tai and Corey Webster, New Zealand beat Gilas, 89-80.