MANILA, Philippines – The FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers begin Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena with GILAS Pilipinas taking on New Zealand, the team’s most difficult test to date.

At 7:30 p.m., the Tall Blacks and Filipinos square off, with the victor claiming the temporary sole lead in Group B.

With identical 2-0 records, the host and visitor are tied for first place in their respective brackets.

However, Gilas has yet to defeat New Zealand in four prior FIBA encounters, dating back to the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, where they lost 89-80.

At the Smart Araneta Coliseum, another defeat was dealt at home in the first round of the World Cup Qualifiers, 88-63.

Tim Cone, coach of the national team, stated that a Gilas team that is making a comeback after losing in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament quarterfinals in Latvia last August must defeat the Tall Blacks in front of an anticipated noisy home crowd.

Tim Cone, the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, stressed the value of protecting their home court as the team gets ready for their eagerly awaited matchup with the Tall Blacks of New Zealand. Cone emphasized how important it is to perform well in front of their home fans and the importance of being motivated and prepared for the game.

At the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna, the national team just wrapped off a four-day training camp. In a tune-up game against the defending PBA Philippine Cup winners, Meralco Bolts, the camp concluded with a heart-boosting 96-82 triumph. The squad had the chance to hone their tactics and strengthen their cohesiveness on the court during the game.

Cone recognized the difficulties the New Zealand squad would provide going into the game against the Tall Blacks. The Tall Blacks bring a combination of physicality and experience to the team under new head coach Judd Flavell, who was once a player for former Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. The visiting team is anticipated to be led by well-known players including veteran Corey Webster and former Converge import Tom Vodanovich.

Cone noted that the Tall Blacks’ cultural emphasis on physical sports like rugby extends into their style of play, making them a formidable and rugged opponent. He predicts a hard contest, emphasizing that the Gilas must perform at their peak to match New Zealand’s quality and intensity.

Making an impression in front of the home crowd is just as important as winning the next game. As they continue to improve their form and develop chemistry, Gilas Pilipinas hopes to carry over the enthusiasm from their productive training camp into the match. With high hopes and a strong preparation phase under their belt, the team is ready for a thrilling and intense matchup with the Tall Blacks.

Tim Cone underlined that the forthcoming matchup with the Tall Blacks is a challenge rather than a personal one because of the team’s reputation for physical and aggressive play. He admitted that in order for Gilas to thrive, they need to understand and adapt to this strategy.

A mix of seasoned players, including well-known names like Tom Vodanovich and Corey Webster, make up the 13-man New Zealand lineup. Tyrell Harrison, Oscar Goodman, Max Darling, Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Walter Brown, Hyrum Harris, Taylor Britt, Kaia Isaac, Flyn Cameron, and Sam Mennenga are all on the team. The Tall Blacks team, who placed 22nd in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, included a number of these players, including Brown, Harris, Cameron, Le’afa, and Britt. The squad is more competitive as a result of their international experience, which makes them a dangerous rival for Gilas.

Conversely, naturalized player Justine Brownlee will lead the 34th-ranked Gilas team, with important players like Mason Amos, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, Chris Newsome, Carl Tamayo, and June Mar Fajardo completing the lineup.

Gilas will proceed to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia with a win in this crucial game, which is a crucial milestone for the team as they look to keep improving on the global basketball scene. With a strong team and a well-defined objective, Gilas will take on the Tall Blacks in what could be a thrilling and competitive encounter.