New Zealand survived Gilas Pilipinas’ ambush on Philippine soil, this time.
The Tall Blacks used a 20-9 salvo after the break to seize control then weathered the Nationals’ fourth-quarter storm to escape, 69-66, in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers last night at the SM MOA Arena.
After erecting a 10-point cushion, the Kiwis needed clutch baskets by Reuben Te Rangi and Yanni Wetzell in the last four minutes to quell the hosts’ fiery rally in the final 3:30 that cut their lead to only two. Te Rangi added a point from the line then the visitors heaved a sigh of relief as Dwight Ramos’ last-gasp attempt at the equalizer from deep missed the mark.
The three-point verdict not only erased the bitter taste of NZ’s 93-89 loss the last time it played in the Pasay venue for the first leg of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in November 2024 but more importantly, put the side on the board after a 0-2 start in Group A.
The charges of coach Tim Cone, who got off to a fiery 14-7 start before the Kiwis found their rhythm and asserted their might, fell to 2-1 for second behind Australia, which went 3-0 at the expense of host Guam, 93-80.
Max Darling, with 11, showed the way for the victors while Sam Mennenga produced a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double and Alex McNaught fired 10 spiked by a 3-of-4 clip from deep.
Ramos, the chief mastermind of Gilas’ rally in the stretch, topscored for the hosts with 16 plus eight boards as CJ Perez shot 15, including 10 in the opening salvo. Hurting Gilas was Justin Brownlee’s struggles against the NZ defense, which left him with a meager four markers on a woeful 2-of-10 shooting.
Notes: The Philippines-New Zealand match coincided with the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. To commemorate this, a brief jersey-exchange rites was held prior to the game featuring New Zealand’s ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh and Philippine officials led by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and SBP president Ricky Vargas.