LIVE UPDATES: Philippines vs New Zealand – FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

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After a stunning loss to Chinese Taipei, Gilas Pilipinas looks to end the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on a strong note as it battles New Zealand for the No. 1 spot in Group B

MANILA, Philippines – A top-seeded finish in the group stage is at stake when Gilas Pilipinas wraps up its campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. 

After a stunning 91-84 loss to Chinese Taipei, the Philippines looks to end the qualifiers on a strong note and vent its ire on New Zealand as they slug it out for the No. 1 spot in Group B on Sunday, February 23.

With both Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand already qualified for the Asia Cup with identical 4-1 records, the winner of this highly anticipated rematch likely gets a much more favorable draw in the tournament proper in August, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Back in their previous matchup in the second window of the qualifiers, the Philippines eked out a 93-89 win against New Zealand — its first victory over the Tall Blacks in a FIBA setting.   

However, expect a completely different ball game this time around as Gilas Pilipinas takes on a vengeful home squad without its top big man Kai Sotto, who starred for the Filipinos in that breakthrough win against New Zealand.  

In that contest, Sotto delivered arguably his finest performance in a Gilas Pilipinas men’s uniform, racking up a near triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. 

With Sotto out, look for the struggling Nationals to rely heavily on their naturalized star Justin Brownlee anew as they seek to put an end to their three-game skid dating back to the Doha International Cup. 

Brownlee was a one-man show for the Philippines against Chinese Taipei last Thursday, February 20, as he erupted for 39 points on a blistering 8-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists in 38 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, for the new-look Tall Blacks — who are coming off a 92-51 rout of Hong Kong on Thursday — count on the likes of Jordan Ngatai and Reuben Te Rangi to put on a show for the home fans at the Spark Arena as they aim to exact revenge on Gilas Pilipinas. 

It was Ngatai who led the Tall Blacks in their 41-point blowout of Hong Kong with 20 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting, while Te Rangi added 18 markers on a healthy 7-of-10 field goal clip.  

Game time is 10 am, Manila time. – Rappler.com