RESULTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand at Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers

Gilas not in ‘best team’ form yet even with win vs New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas remained undefeated after three games in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers but that doesn’t mean that the team is already at its peak, according to coach Tim Cone.

After a stunning victory over world No. 22 New Zealand, Cone said that Gilas still has some ways to go in terms of improvement, especially with the squad’s constantly incomplete lineup.

However, Cone more than happy in seeing Gilas win despite missing some guys due to injuries.

Gilas win gives Tim Cone chance to give standouts an important break

The Philippines’ shock victory over New Zealand late on Thursday night not only ended a spell of defeats to the powerhouse Asia-Oceania squad, it gave the national program an opportunity to keep building toward the development of its younger players.

The 93-89 upset that thrilled a packed Mall of Asia Arena crowd gave Gilas Pilipinas a third straight win in as many games in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers and cleared the Filipinos’ path heading into a battle with listless Hong Kong again this coming Sunday.

Up against a lower-ranked foe whose chance of advancing is close to nil, the Philippines can now shift to a low gear and allow players who barely saw action in the clash with the Tall Blacks to have their chance to shine.

Justin Brownlee all praises for Kai Sotto in Gilas Pilipinas win

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee expectedly played big for Gilas Pilipinas in their win over New Zealand in the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

But instead of basking in the glory of another Brownlee classic, the longtime Ginebra import chose to talk about someone else.

In Gilas’ 93-89 win over the Tall Blacks at Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Kai Sotto wowed the home crowd with an all-around game that impressed even Brownlee.

IN PHOTOS: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand

Kai Sotto puts on impressive showing to defend Gilas home court

MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto showed that he’s progressed by leaps and bounds in Gilas Pilipinas’ stunning win over New Zealand in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena, Thursday night.

Playing as the primary center,  Sottoe flirted with a triple-double including a pair of highlight dunks in Gilas’ victory over the world No. 22 Tall Blacks.

Already brimming with motivation, Sotto didn’t need much more fuel in his tank–until he saw the hometown crowd.

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Fifth time's the charm for Gilas Pilipinas. 🇵🇭#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/n1ruKUOz71

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) November 21, 2024

Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for first time in Fiba competition

Gilas Pilipinas shrugged off a lethargic start on Thursday night to finally solve perennial tormentor New Zealand, 93-89, and make a good account of itself in its first real test in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

The Nationals put on the heat late in the third with a 16-0 run and held on to the lead the rest of the way for a spectacular show at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City that had the Philippines wresting the Group B lead of the continental showcase with a 3-0 win-loss mark.

“Offensively, defensively we had lapses in the first half. But we picked things up and I think everybody did a good job contributing to our win,” said Kai Sotto, who put up 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the victory that finally put an end to the long-running drought at the hands of the World No. 22 Tall Blacks.

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Nothing but respect for New Zealand as they exit with cheers from the home crowd. @INQUIRERSports #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/j32HPhinoz

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 21, 2024

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Justin Brownlee on Kai Sotto after their win over New Zealand: “I think he’s ready for the NBA.” #GilasPilipinas @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/qJMge8ZG5k

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 21, 2024

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Y’ALL LIKE THAT? 🇵🇭#GilasPilipinas exits the hardwood to the tune of a loud and proud crowd. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/BGpAkL5CeH

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 21, 2024

LIVE UPDATES: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand

FOURTH QUARTER

• Gilas Pilipinas beats New Zealand for the first time in the Fiba competitions with a 93-89 win.
• No stranger to pressure, Justin Brownlee makes 2 crucial freethrows. Gilas leads 93-89. 11.1 seconds left.
• Tense moments here  after Thomas Vodanovich makes another 3. Gilas leads 91-89, 12 seconds left.
• Chris Newsome for 3 off the inbound pass from Scottie Thompson! Gilas Pilipinas builds a 91-84 lead with 1:09 left to play.
• Justin Brownlee with 2 freethrows to keep Gilas ahead 88-84. 1:45 to play.
• Two freethrows from Dwight Ramos give Gilas Pilipinas an 86-82 breathing room with just over 2 minutes left.
• Thomas Vodanovich with a 3! New Zealand just a basket away from Gilas Pilipinas, 84-82, with 2:39 to play.
• Taylor Britt with a 3. Gilas lead down to 3.
• Kai Sotto with a big dunk in transition! Gilas Pilipinas 82-76.
• New Zealand and Gilas Pilipinas trading buckets with 5 minutes left to play. The Filipinos hanging on to an 80-76 lead.
• New Zealand pulls within 74-78 after a bucket from Taylor Britt.
• Justin Brownlee scores an and-1 to stop New Zealand’s momentum. Gilas up 76-69. 7 minutes left.
• Tyrell Harrison with a slam and Gilas Pilipinas calls time. New Zealand slowly inching back, now behind 69-74, 7:18 to play.
• CJ Perez pickpockets Corey Webster, but Gilas misses on the other end.
• Corey Webster fouled from the 3-point line, but he only makes 2-of-3. New Zealand trails 67-74. 8:12 left to play.
• Gilas Pilipinas holding on to a 74-65 lead early in the fourth quarter.

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#GilasPilipinas leads New Zealand after three quarters, 72-63. 10 minutes to go. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/cfZuKINfCl

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 21, 2024

THIRD QUARTER

• END OF THIRD: Gilas Pilipinas 72-63 New Zealand.
• Chris Newsome there to pick up Dwight Ramos’ miss! Gilas now leads by double digits, 70-60, with over a minute left.
• Another stop and Justin Brownlee converts on the break. Gilas now leads 68-60 under 2 minutes.
• Kai Sotto grinds out a 3-point play and scores off-the-glass  to give Gilas Pilipinas its biggest lead 66-60.
• Glue guy Scottie Thompson is fueling another Gilas run here in the third. The Filipinos take the lead 61-60. 3:34.
• Just unbelievable outside shooting from New Zealand here in this game. The Kiwis have gone 13-of-25 from three so far.
• Justin Brownlee with a lefty layup to tie the game at 54 with 5:36 on the clock.
• Corey Webster simply unstoppable from beyond the arc. He has 20 points, 4-of-4 from 3.
• Dwight Ramos and Corey Webster trade 3s. Gilas Pilipinas 48-52 New Zealand.
• New Zealand with a 4-0 run to open the third quarter.
• At the half, Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson leads Gilas Pilipinas scorers with 11 and 9 points, respectively. Kai Sotto with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

SECOND QUARTER

• END OF SECOND: Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand tied at 45.
• Vodanovich just. won’t. miss. He has another 3 to end the quarter for New Zealand.
• Thomas Vodanovich busts Gilas momentum with another 3. All 9 points are from beyond the arc.
• Justin Brownlee follows it up with a 3 of his own and the crowd is pumped. Gilas Pilipinas leads 43-39.
• Instant offense from CJ Perez as he knocks down a 3.
• Kai Sotto left alone down low and he rises for a slam! Gilas in the lead again, 37-35.
• Thomas Vodanovich pounces on a Gilas Pilipinas turnover with a 3. New Zealand leads 36-35.
• Scottie Thompson again, this time from 3! Gilas now up 35-31.
• Scottie Thompsons drives to the middle to give Gilas Pilipinas back the lead, 32-31, under 5 minutes.
• Ginebra connection: Brownlee with a quick pass to a cutting Scottie Thompson for 2. Gilas Pilipinas pulls within 30-31 with 5:44 on the clock.
• June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson keeping Gilas Pilipinas in the game. Gilas trails 26-30.
• Corey Webster and Sam Waardenburg score back to back triples to give New Zealand a 28-20 lead to open the quarter.

FIRST QUARTER

• END OF FIRST: Gilas Pilipinas 20-22 New Zealand.
• Calvin Oftana gives Gilas its first lead at 20-18 with a left corner 3!
• Back to back baskets from Kai Sotto! Gilas just trails by 17-18, with under 2 minutes left.
• Chris Newsome makes an immediate impact for Gilas as he makes his two freethrows and forces a steal on the other end.
• New Zealand stays hot from beyond the arc, this time from Izayah Le’afa.
• June Mar Fajardo on the board after converting a dish from Kai Sotto! Gilas now just behind 11-13.
• Dwight Ramos connects from 3! Gilas pulls within 9-13 with over 6 minutes on the clock.
• First field goal from Gilas Pilipinas courtesy of Justin Brownlee. Gilas trails 4-10.
• Kai Sotto scores Gilas Pilipinas’ first two points from the stripe.
• Tim Cone calls an early timeout as Corey Webster knocks down another 3. New Zealand leads Gilas Pilipinas, 8-0, with 8:27 in the first.
• Jittery start for Gilas Pilipinas after another turnover.
• New Zealand opens the game with a 5-0 run after a tip from Walter Brown and a 3 from Corey Webster.
• Gilas Pilipinas Starting 5: Scottie Thompson, Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos and Justin Brownlee.
• As part of tradition, New Zealand Tall Blacks perform The Haka in front of Gilas Pilipinas ahead of their showdown.

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SBP said, “WEAR BLUE!”

The people said, “we gotchu!”

Fans start to swarm the MOA Arena as Gilas and NZ warm up for tipoff. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Yi0ittaULJ

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 21, 2024

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Muli silang lalaban para sa bayan, are you ready Gilas Nation? 🇵🇭#DeliverTheDream#AsiaCup @FIBAAsiaCup

📹: @jpbersabe pic.twitter.com/RLOdkcwAqR

— SBP (@officialSBPinc) November 21, 2024

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New Zealand swingmen warm up before their bout with Gilas later at 7:30 pm.

On the other end of the court? Carl Tamayo trains early. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Bsct7X7S2y

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 21, 2024

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand November 21

Mall of Asia Arena

• 7:30pm – Philippines vs New Zealand

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New New is inviting you all to support Gilas Pilipinas as they take on New Zealand at their home-court 🫡

Additional General Admission tickets are now available for purchase at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. pic.twitter.com/f53SdvXJpD

— SBP (@officialSBPinc) November 21, 2024

Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto lead Gilas Final 12 vs New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ Final 12 line-up that will compete against New Zealand for the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers on Thursday.

Headlining the 12-man lineup is Brownlee, longtime Ginebra import and naturalized forward coach, whom Tim Cone described as “highly motivated” en route to the Asia Cup qualifiers following a loss in the recently concluded PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the hands of TNT.

Japan B.League big man Kai Sotto, who was under concussion protocol a few days back, is also on the final roster against the Kiwis.

Gilas Pilipinas ready for showdown vs rock-solid New Zealand

Gilas Pilipinas figures in an acid test in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers Thursday night a little banged up.

But national coach Tim Cone made the assurance that his charges will be putting up a resolute performance come game time against formidable New Zealand, a country that has had the Philippines’ number since anyone can remember.

“We’re a little dinged up, but the guys are digging in and ready to play,” Cone told the Inquirer on the eve of the 7:30 p.m. duel at Mall of Asia Arena where the world No. 34 Filipinos battle the 22nd-ranked Tall Blacks to break the 2-0 deadlock at the top between Group B’s two early leaders.

Tim Cone says 2024 is Gilas Pilipinas’ ‘trial year’

MANILA, Philippines—Whether how Gilas Pilipinas performs in the upcoming 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, coach Tim Cone made one thing certain.

This 2024 has been and still is the squad’s “trial” year.

After just recently revamping the program a year ago after the 2023 Fiba World Cup, Cone said his second year—first, officially—as head coach for Gilas is still part of the a trial and error phase.

“This is a trial year for us. This whole program we’ve done this year has been a trial to see what works and doesn’t work,” said the Ginebra coach just days before the Asia Cup qualifying tournament in Manila.

Gilas will have Scottie Thompson back for big match vs Kiwis

A healthy Scottie Thompson should bode well for Gilas Pilipinas when it plunges back into action this Thursday in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

“Scottie’s presence moves everybody back into their roles. And now, you have that tremendous energy guy,” national coach Tim Cone said.

After missing the Olympic Qualifiers in Latvia due to a nagging back problem, the do-it-all playmaker is set for another National Five stint when the Philippines takes on New Zealand in a battle of unbeaten teams at Mall of Asia Arena.

How to watch Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas is counting on its sixth man–the Filipino fans–for support when it takes on visiting teams in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers this week.

The Philippine men’s basketball team hosts New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong and November 24 at Mall of Asia Arena in its bid to stay unbeaten in Group B of the continental meet.

Here’s how to watch and support Gilas Pilipinas for the qualifying meet.