Gilas treat Tall Blacks clash as do-or-die showdown

Gilas Pilipinas Men are approaching Friday's showdown against New Zealand with a playoff mindset as they begin the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Spark Arena in Auckland.

Fresh off steering Barangay Ginebra to a dramatic seven-game triumph over TNT in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup Finals, head coach Tim Cone wants his national team to bring that same championship mentality into the crucial Group A encounter scheduled at 3 p.m. (Manila time).

With both Gilas and the Tall Blacks carrying identical 2-2 records, the matchup could play a pivotal role in their qualification campaign.

"Every game we play with Gilas is a Game 7 championship. It’s the same feel, the same magnitude that goes on," Cone said.

"So we’ve got to treat every game like it’s a championship game, and that means we’ve got to prepare the best we can prepare."

According to TigerScore Sportsbook, New Zealand enters the contest as an 11-point favorite, with the over/under set at 168.0.

Gilas heads into the qualifiers with momentum after completing an unbeaten two-game exhibition sweep in New Zealand, routing NZNBL clubs Manawatu, 92-61, and Franklin, 94-66.

Justin Brownlee was rested in both tune-up contests as the veteran naturalized player continued recovering from the recently concluded PBA conference.

"We know that they’re a physical team, so we’ve got to match up their physicality and understand how to play through that," Brownlee said.

"We have to be aggressive. No matter what they do as far as guarding us, we just have to be aggressive."

With Brownlee sidelined during the exhibitions, Carl Tamayo took charge offensively, averaging 18.0 points across the two victories after producing standout performances against both opponents.

Mike Phillips is also expected to make his official debut for Gilas after recording eight points and nine rebounds in the win over Manawatu before sitting out the Franklin game.

Also suiting up for the Nationals are Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, RJ Abarrientos, Juan Gomez de Liano, Troy Rosario, Chris Newsome, Justine Baltazar, and June Mar Fajardo.

The Tall Blacks, meanwhile, bolster their roster with the return of Taylor Britt, Carlin Davidson, Sam Mennenga, Taine Murray, Jordan Ngatai, Keanu Rasmussen, Tohi Smith-Milner, Reuben Te Rangi, Tai Webster, Shea Ili, Sam Timmins, and Sam Waardenburg.

Although Gilas stunned New Zealand, 93-89, during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Manila on Nov. 21, 2024, the Filipinos have dropped their last three meetings against the Tall Blacks and will be aiming to reverse that trend in another high-stakes encounter.