Gilas Pilipinas has officially secured a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 – ironically, thanks to an assist by the same team that it massively upset last week.
The Filipino dribblers are heading to Saudi Arabia next year after New Zealand took care of business against Chinese Taipei, 81-64, in the final day of the Qualifiers’ second window on Monday at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch.
With this, the two teams have become the latest to book their tickets to the continental conclave. They join the hosts, Japan, and defending two-time champions Australia.
Sam Waardenberg led New Zealand with 16 points and 13 rebounds. He also had six assists, plus a steal and a block to help his side bounce back after absorbing a 93-89 defeat to the Philippines last Thursday.
Shea Ili produced 12 points and eight assists, while former Converge import Tom Vodanovich chipped in 11 points, dice rebounds, and two steals.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Ili and Vodanovich joined hands for the decisive 7-0 run to open the fourth quarter, which gave them a 59-47 lead 42 seconds into the period.
Waardenberg would take it from there. His activity away from the ball and solid shooting from deep enabled the crew to break the game wide open, leading a 9-2 spurt for a 68-52 advantage with 5:05 to put it away,
Hylum Harris was also crucial in their fourth-quarter assault. He finished with nearly a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds.
The quartet’s solid showings were indeed a welcome sight for Coach Judd Flavell after Corey Webster got held to just nine points – that, after unloading 25 points behind a hot shooting display against Gilas.
New Zealand improved to 3-1 to finish this window at no. 2 in Group B behind the Philippines after dragging Chinese Taipei down to 1-3.
