By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno
MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas formally qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia after New Zealand defeated Chinese Taipei, 91-64, in the 2025 Qualifiers at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand on Monday.
Gilas first trounced Hong Kong, 93-54, on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to complete a 2-0 sweep of their November window homestand.
Gilas turned to a solid second-half defense that saw Hong Kong getting held to only 19 points after the latter somehow made things interesting in the first half.
Carl Tamayo, who was seldom used in Gilas’ upset 93-89 win against New Zealand on Nov. 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena, stepped up and led Gilas, now 4-0 in Group B, with 18 points, six rebounds, and one assist.
June Mar Fajardo added 14 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal, while Kai Sotto chipped in 12 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
The Tall Blacks survived a second-quarter scare from the Taiwanese squad as they successfully defended their homecourt four nights after they were stunned by Gilas.
New Zealand looked poised to blow out Chinese Taipei early on after racing to a 23-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, Chinese Taipei came alive late in the second period, closing the first half on a 15-4 run to cut the lead to five, 37-32, at halftime.
The game remained tight in the third quarter until New Zealand exploded for 29 points in the fourth to pull away for good.
Sam Waardenburg led New Zealand, which moved up to 3-1, with 16 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal.
Mohammad Gadiaga put up 14 points and three rebounds for Chinese Taipei, which dropped to 1-3.
The result ensured that a possible three-way tie at 4-2 would not happen and Gilas will be inside the Top 2 for Group B at the end of the qualifiers.
Aside from the Philippines (4-0 in Group B), other teams that remain undefeated are Australia with 4-0 in Group A, Japan (4-0 Group C), Jordan (3-0 Group D), Iran (3-0 Group E), and Lebanon (3-0 Group F). (PNA)
