Gilas absorbs 46-point ‘reality check’ defeat

NEW Zealand proved too strong for the youth-laden Gilas Pilipinas side anew yesterday.

Boosted by a fiery start that they sustained the rest of the way, the Tall Blacks dismantled the hapless Filipino cagers 106-60 in the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland.

Dion Prewster led a balanced offensive juggernaut for New Zealand with 15 points on three three-pointers, while Finn Delany chipped in 14 markers and seven rebounds.

Ethan Rusbatch and Jordan Ngatai had 12 points each, while Corey Webster and Shea Ili added 11 and 10, respectively, for New Zealand, which remained unbeaten in Group A with a 4-0 card.

New Zealand’s 46-point shellacking of Gilas served as a fitting follow-up to its 88-63 triumph in the second window last February.

The nationals absorbed their second straight loss in the virtually no-bearing qualifiers since they already have a slot in the World Cup next year as co-hosts with Japan and Indonesia, their lone win coming at the expense of India 88-64 also in the second window.

The Pinoys seek to recover from the lopsided defeat when they tangle with the Indians anew on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Gilas coach Nenad Vučinić said his charges were simply no match to their opponents.

“Very tough night for this young team. We came across a Tall Blacks team that is playing with high intensity and with very good execution. We struggled to contain them in that part of the game, the physicality, intensity, and speed,” Vučinić said.

“We struggled really offensively to get things going so it is a good thing for the young team, for the young players to understand the level that we need to be at and play high-level international basketball,” he added.

Fielding an 11-man roster made up mostly of collegiate standouts, the Philippine five was totally outclassed.

World No. 27 New Zealand zoomed to a fast start and took a 47-21 spread at the half.

Showing no mercy, the Kiwis padded their advantage to 73-43 going into the payoff period.

A Flynn Cameron layup gave New Zealand its biggest lead 106-60 with 1:41 to go in the fourth which stood as the final count.

Carl Tamayo paced Gilas with 16 points and five rebounds but left the game for good at the 7:50 mark of the final canto due to an apparent ankle injury, while Rhenz Abando added 11 markers. — Michael Jugado