The undermanned Gilas Pilipinas basketball squad got ambushed by a sharp New Zealand squad in a massive 60-106 loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Thursday at the EventFinda Stadium.
Playing with just 11 men, the Gilas Pilipinas got behind early and just could not keep up with the Tall Blacks, who with the win, completed a four-game sweep of Group A. The Gilas, on the other hand, will not have much time to recoup, as they will take on India on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
New Zealand, the Philippines, and India will all move on to the next round which starts in August.
The Tall Blacks imposed their will, going up by 10 after the first, 23-13, before breaking the game wide open in the second, thanks to a 24-8 run that put them in front, 47-21. Things turned from bad to worse in the second half as Cebuano big man Carl Tamayo injured his knee and had to be carried out of the ballgame.
Six players scored in double-figures for New Zealand led by the 15 points of Dion Prewster. Finn Delany had 14 while Ethan Rusbatch and Jordan Ngatai added 12 apiece.
Tamayo led the Gilas with 16 points and six rebounds, while NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando added 11 markers.
The Philippines completely struggled with their shot, making just 21 of 62 from the field for a terrible 33% shooting clip.
New Zealand waylays Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
