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| Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto connived to lead Gilas to its first win against New Zealand ever. Cesca Rampas |
PASAY--After eight years, Gilas Pilipinas got the better of New Zealand.
Behind solid games from Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto, Gilas turned back the Tall Blacks, 93-89, in their FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers matchup on Thursday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas did not waver even if New Zealand began the game on an 8-0 run as they slowly picked up the pace especially with Sotto, in his first official game back in all competitions after entering the Japan B.League's concussion protocols that posed a threat to his availability for the November window, dominating the paint against the visitor's bruising yet undersized frontline.
The pivotal point came in the third quarter where Gilas blew the game wide open to take a 72-63 lead after entering halftime at a 45-all deadlock.
The Tall Blacks still provided a late scare, especially when former Converge import Tom Vodanovich hit a three-pointer after Brownlee missed two free throws to cut the lead to two, 91-89, with 20 seconds left.
Brownlee made up for his mishap with two free throws to ice the game even as Sotto blocked Taylor Britt's layup attempt in the end.
Brownlee finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Sotto added 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and two steals for Gilas, now 3-0 in Group B of the qualifying phase for next year's FIBA Asia Cup.
Gilas can officially its place in the main tournament if they beat Hong Kong on Sunday night and New Zealand takes down Chinese Taipei in Christchurch the evening later.
Corey Webster led New Zealand, which dropped to 2-1, with 25 points, one rebound, and five assists, while Vodanovich and Sam Waardenburg each had 19 markers.
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