Courtesy: FIBA
Gilas Pilipinas did its best, but New Zealand was too adamant to protect its home turf.
The Tall Blacks denied the Filipinos’ uprising with a 106-102 double overtime win in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday at the Spark Arena in Auckland.
On the night when explosive naturalized player Justin Brownlee was held to just five points, the quartet of Juan Gomez De Liaño, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos took the lead to force Gilas into two extra periods.
Brownlee hit a timely three-pointer for his first basket and pushed the visitors ahead, 100-96, with 2:02 left in the second OT.
The Philippines, however, gave four free throws in the next New Zealand possessions before big man Sam Mennenga dunked the ball in the final 52 seconds to regain the hosts’ lead, 102-100.
Quiambao made a last-ditch effort to save the day for the nationals, banking a floater with 36 seconds to play to level the game at 102-all.
Gilas had the opportunity to send the intense match into a third OT or win it with a three-pointer, but De Liaño turned the ball over as Justin Brownlee committed an unsportsmanlike foul.
De Liaño led Gilas with 24 points built on four shots from beyond the arc, including the game-tying triple in regulation that sent the game into overtime.
Quiambao finished with 23 markers, while Ramos and Tamayo added 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Reuben Te Rangi scored 22 while Shea Ili had 21 points to power the Tall Blacks to their fifth consecutive win against the Filipinos.
The Philippines fell to third place in Pool C with a 2-3 record. New Zealand stayed at no. 2 with a 3-2 slate.
Gilas will fly to Perth to face undefeated Australia on July 6.
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