Gilas Pilipinas came up short in a grueling double-overtime battle, falling to New Zealand, 106-102, in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers on Friday, July 3.
The Gilas men had one last chance to extend the game, but Chris Newsome’s contested 3-pointer in the final seconds missed the mark as the Tall Blacks sealed the victory at the free-throw line.
Shea Ili split his final trip to the stripe with 8.2 seconds left to stretch the lead to four, while Jordan Ngatai also went 1-of-2 moments earlier to keep New Zealand ahead, 105-102.
Gilas fought back late in the second overtime, tying the game at 102-all on a baseline floater by Kevin Quiambao. But Sam Mennenga sparked a decisive 6-0 run, including a go-ahead basket with 14 seconds remaining, to put New Zealand back in control.
The game needed a second extra period after both teams ended the first overtime deadlocked at 93. Shea Ili forced the tie with two clutch free throws with 7.8 seconds remaining, and Gilas failed to convert on its final possession.
New Zealand drew first blood in the second overtime, with Carlin Davison completing an and-one play for a 95-93 lead. The Tall Blacks maintained their composure in the closing minutes, capitalizing on turnovers and hitting timely free throws.
In regulation, Gilas erased a late deficit behind a clutch 3-pointer from Juan Gomez de Liaño with 11.9 seconds left to force overtime at 83-all. The shot capped a back-and-forth fourth quarter that saw multiple lead changes in the final minutes.
Gilas led by as many as seven points in the fourth period, highlighted by Dwight Ramos’ triple and Quiambao’s scoring burst, but New Zealand responded with key baskets from Reuben Te Rangi and Tai Webster to stay within striking distance.
Carl Tamayo paced Gilas Pilipinas early, while Quiambao provided a spark off the bench. Justin Brownlee, however, struggled to find his rhythm and scored his first basket only in overtime.
New Zealand leaned on a balanced attack, with Mennenga, Ili and Te Rangi delivering crucial plays down the stretch.
The loss dropped Gilas Pilipinas in the standings in the third window of the Asian qualifiers, while New Zealand secured a hard-fought home victory in front of its crowd.
