Brownlee shackled as New Zealand exacts revenge on Gilas

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Gilas Pilipinas wraps up its FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers campaign with back-to-back losses as New Zealand clinches the top spot in Group B

MANILA, Philippines – New Zealand made life hell for Justin Brownlee and Gilas Pilipinas endured a disappointing end to its FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers campaign by way of an 87-70 road defeat on Sunday, February 23.

Coming off a 39-point explosion in a loss to Chinese Taipei, Brownlee got limited to just 10 points as the Philippines concluded its run with a 4-2 record and allowed the Tall Blacks to clinch the top spot in Group B with a 5-1 card.

Tohi Smith-Milner churned out 25 points and 9 rebounds, setting the tone in the decisive win that saw the Kiwis protect their turf at the Spark Arena in Auckland.

Smith-Milner drained 3 of his 5 three-pointers in the opening quarter as New Zealand mounted a commanding 30-15 advantage and cruised the rest of the way, with its lead growing to its biggest at 28 points.

But even with Brownlee shackled, the Filipinos — buoyed by the loud Filipino crowd in Auckland — threatened a comeback behind Chris Newsome, who finished with a team-high 13 points.

Newsome scored 4 points in an 11-3 start in the fourth quarter then found a cutting Brownlee as the Philippines inched within 66-77 with over six minutes remaining.

But the Tall Blacks restored order and closed the game on a 10-4 run, with 6 points coming from Smith-Milner.

Corey Webster fired 14 points and Reuben Te Rangi tossed in 12 points and 9 rebounds for New Zealand, which gained payback after it suffered its first-ever loss to the Philippines in FIBA competition in November.

The Scores

New Zealand 87 – Smith-Milner 25, Webster 14, Te Rangi 12, Ngatai 11, Britt 8, Wynyard 7, Le’afa 5, Darling 3, K. Isaac 2, Ball 0, Brown 0, T. Isaac 0.

Philippines 70 – Newsome 13, Fajardo 11, Brownlee 10, Oftana 8, Ramos 8, Edu 7, Aguilar 6, Tamayo 4, Perez 3, Thompson 0, Malonzo 0, Quiambao 0. 

Quarters: 30-15, 53-33, 74-55, 87-70.

– Rappler.com