Gilas Pilipinas wrote its name on the history books on Thursday, November 21 when it stunned New Zealand 93-89 in the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. This win also means the Philippine national team achieves their first-ever win against the Tall Blacks in previous encounters the team was defeated.
This was a true mix of determination as well as tenacity, reinforced with a stellar performance from Justin Brownlee as well as Kai Sotto, both integral for helping Gilas make the much-coveted victory.
Gilas Pilipinas walked the talk. 💪
— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) November 21, 2024
The Philippines beat New Zealand for the first-time ever! 🇵ðŸ‡#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/3Sn43fleKL
Naturalized player of the team Justin Brownlee showed again why he is one of the main reasons for Gilas’ success. In one of the games he scored 26 points 10 rebounds, 4 assists 2 steals, and all these counts he made when the team pressured and in a match with well-set talented players.
Rising star Kai Sotto, the seven-foot-three center, had easily one of the best performances of his stint with the Gilas. He nearly recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. His third-quarter heroics including scoring five straight points on a 16-3 run changed the tide for the Philippines.
Other notable contributors included:
“It was a tough one. Man, they are good - they are really good. They are incredibly physical, and I think that was the number one thing we had to battle through,” shared Gilas head coach Tim Cone after the game. “To overcome that and find a way to win was special.”
Before this victory, Gilas Pilipinas had faced New Zealand four times and lost each encounter. Two of those defeats were particularly painful, as they came on home soil:
The breakthrough win not only exorcised those demons but also established Gilas as a serious contender in the FIBA Asia Cup.
The win put Gilas Pilipinas in the upper spot of the Group A table with a 3-0 win-loss slate, displacing New Zealand. This puts the Philippines in good stead to make the continental tournament slated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia next year.
Gilas had already come through in the first window, dominating their opponents Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei. It is now another home match against Hong Kong on Sunday, November 24 which puts the team in a good position to round up the window with 4 out of 4.
“A perfect homestand not only guarantees qualification but also sends a strong message to the rest of Asia about the resurgence of Philippine basketball,” said Cone.
The win against New Zealand was not without its challenges. The Tall Blacks’ physical play tested Gilas’ resolve, particularly in the first half when they struggled to find rhythm.
“They are incredibly physical, and that was the number one thing we had to battle through,” Cone remarked, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness in such high-stakes games.
Despite the pressure, Gilas leaned on its star players and depth. The late addition of Kai Sotto, who cleared concussion protocols just in time, proved pivotal. Meanwhile, Justin Brownlee’s leadership and clutch scoring steadied the team during critical moments.
The team’s next match against Hong Kong is another chance to increase the didn’t in Group A safe. In favor of the Philippines though, to keep an undefeated run, the Philippines should stick to hard work and discipline.
Apart from the basic disqualifiers, this historic triumph provides the necessary foundation for Gilas’ buildup for more challenging matches on the international level of competition. The growth of such a team, built on performances such as this, will be paramount to achieving better performances on the international level.
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