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Kai Sotto turns in arguably his finest performance for the national squad as Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for the first time to stay unbeaten in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
MANILA, Philippines – The last time Gilas Pilipinas hosted New Zealand, the Tall Blacks gave the Filipinos a 25-point beating.
Times have changed.
For the first time in a FIBA setting, the Philippines beat New Zealand and defended its turf with a 93-89 victory in the second window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, November 21.
Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto turned in all-around performances as the Nationals scored a breakthrough win over the world No. 22 Tall Blacks after losing in all of their four previous encounters.
Two of those losses were at home, with the Philippines suffering an 89-80 defeat in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2016 and an 88-63 drubbing in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in 2022.
But the Filipinos have had enough.
Sotto flirted with a triple-double and finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Brownlee delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the win that hiked the Philippines’ record to 3-0 in Group B.
“It’s a really good, really great team win — offensively and defensively,” said the 7-foot-3 Sotto. “We had lapses in the first half, but in the second half we picked up. I think everybody did a good job in this win.”
Putting on arguably his finest performance for the senior squad, Sotto took over in a third-quarter turnaround that saw the hosts swing a 56-60 deficit to a 72-63 lead going into the final salvo.
Sotto scored 5 straight points in that pivotal 16-3 run before Gilas leaned on Brownlee in the fourth period, where he knocked in two pressure-packed free throws with 11.1 seconds left for the final tally.
Chris Newsome likewise came through at both ends, highlighting his stint with a huge triple that gave the Nationals a 91-84 breathing room in the closing minutes.
“It was a tough one. They are good, they are really good,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone of the Tall Blacks. “They are incredibly physical, and I think that’s the number one thing we had to battle through.”
On top of the physicality, the Filipinos also survived the Kiwis’ shooting barrage as New Zealand knocked in 18 three-pointers on a 51.4% clip (18-of-35).
Corey Webster finished with 25 points and 5 assists for New Zealand, which dropped to second place in Group B with a 2-1 record.
The Scores
Philippines 93 – Brownlee 26, Sotto 19, Thompson 12, Newsome 11, Ramos 11, Fajardo 6, Perez 3, Oftana 3, Tamayo 2, Aguilar 0.
New Zealand 89 – Webster 25, Vodanovich 19, Waardenburg 19, Britt 8, Le’afa 6, Brown 5, Harris 3, Cameron 2, Harrison 2.
Quarters: 20-22, 45-45, 72-63, 93-89.
– Rappler.com
