Gilas and New Zealand square off in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers later this month.
After a magical campaign in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament early this year, Gilas looked like it can conquer any team in Asia.
That includes New Zealand.
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With the way the team has been playing since the OQT where they stunned world no. 9 Latvia and made life miserable for Georgia and Brazil, Gilas head coach Tim Cone also has reasons to believe the team has a legitimate shot at the Tall Blacks.
The two teams face each other for the fifth time in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers this month.
“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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However, New Zealand has the Philippines’ numbers.
Since dropping an 89-80 decision in the OQT in 2016, Gilas has lost the next three encounters including a 106-60 drubbing in the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers two years ago.
It’s about time the Filipinos change the narrative.
“I think there’s a certain confidence on the players that they have. And it’s deserving,” said the winningest coach in the PBA.
“For the Gilas players, just believe. I think if we come in with the idea that just believe that we can do it, I think we will do it. That’ll be on all of us.”
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Gilas will know whether or not that belief will work wonders after their match on Nov. 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, One Sports Digital)