In an enthralling 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifying fixture at Spark Arena the New Zealand Tall Blacks were taken to double overtime before defeating the Philippines 106-102 at Spark Arena in Auckland.
The victory confirms New Zealand’s second place, behind Australia, in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers and also books the Tall Blacks a spot in the Second Round of the qualifiers.
In an electric atmosphere, with Filipino fans heavily outnumbering home supporters in the 9.500 crowd, it appeared at times to be a game being played in Manilla rather than downtown Auckland such was the verve and passion of the Filipino fans.
In a fiercely competitive contest, that had 14 lead changes and was tied on 13 occasions, it took a steal by Carlin Davison with 10 seconds to play in the second extra spell to finally break the Philippines resistance. Shea Ili and Jordan Ngatai scored the resulting free-throws to clinch the victory.
There were outstanding performers in both camps with the experienced duo of Reuben Te Rangi (22 points) and Shea Ili (21 points and 6 assists) leading the way for the Tall Blacks. Also influential were Sam Waardenburg with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, Sam Mennenga (13 points and 6 rebounds), Tai Webster (12 points) and Davison who added 7 points to 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Kevin Quiambao and Juan Gomez De Liano scored 23 points apiece and Dwight Ramos tallied 18 points in a stirring Filipino effort.
Looking to end a four game losing streak against the Tall Blacks, Gilas Pilipinas led 5-3 in the early exchanges although threes from Waardenburg, Te Rangi and Tohi Smith-Milner carried New Zealand to a 23-17 first quarter advantage.
The Philippines opened the second period with an 8-3 run and on three occasions closed to within a single point of the Kiwis. However Tai Webster, playing his 50th international, scored six points in the spell and with Te Rangi and Waardenburg each tallying nine points from a combined 6 from 9 shooting effort the Tall Blacks led 44-39 at half-time.
With the Tall Blacks upping the defensive pressure and Ili and Mennenga providing the scoring finishes the hosts moved ten point clear and the Philippines needed a timeout.
The break worked as the visitors closed to 57-54 and the Filipino fans were in full voice.
An altercation between Smith-Milner and Michael Phillips drew the ire of the officials and although the Philippines forward missed the resulting free throws they closed the quarter with a 10-3 run to carry a 64-63 lead into the final stanza.
The fourth quarter began with five lead changes ahead of the Philippines leading 76-70 at the mid-point of the fourth. The Tall Blacks responded with a Te Rangi triple and a Calin Davison transition dunk to close within two points (77-75) with four minutes remaining.
Waardenburg free-throws tied proceedings and although a Kevin Quiambao mid-range jump shot gave the Philippines a 79-77 lead with under three minutes to play back to back scores from Tai Webster gave the Tall Blacks an 81-79 lead with 45 seconds to play.
A chaotic finish there were turnovers from both teams, pressure free-throws sank and a long three from Philippines guard De Liano to tie the game (83-83) with 12 seconds to play.
A Ngatai tip in appeared to have won the game on the final buzzer but it was waived away by the officials with overtime ensuing.
The teams couldn’t be separated in the first additional five minutes and when the Philippines eked out a 100-96 lead with two minutes to play the Tall Blacks were under pressure.
Te Rangi and Davison made back to back scores and with Mennenga then adding a brace of buckets momentum swung back the way of the hosts. Though Quiambao again locked up the scores it was Davison that came up with the all important defensive stop to clinch possession and the tie.
Next up for the Tall Blacks is a meeting with Guam, at Eventfinda Stadium on Monday July 6, tip-off 7.00pm.
Tall Blacks 106 – Te Rangi 22pts, Ili 21pts, Waardenburg 16pts, Mennenga 13pts, Webster 12pts
Philippines 102 – Quiambao 23pts De Liano 23pts Ramos 18pts
2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifying – First Round Results/Fixtures
L 79-84 v Australia MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
L 77-79 v Australia TSB Arena, Wellington
W 66-69 v Philippines Mall of Asia Arena, Manila
W 99-67 v Guam University of Guam Fieldhouse, Mangilao Village
W 106-102 v Philippines Spark Arena, Auckland
July 6 v Guam Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
TALL BLACKS SQUAD FOR FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: WINDOW 3
G Taylor Britt, Canterbury Rams (48 games for Tall Blacks)
G/F Carlin Davison, BNZ Breakers & Wellington Saints (18 games)
G Shea Ili, Melbourne United & Sandringham Sabres (73 games)
F Sam Mennenga, BNZ Breakers (10 games)
G Taine Murray, Brisbane Bullets & Tauranga Whai (25 games)
G/F Jordan Ngatai, Tauranga Whai (95 games)
G Keanu Rasmussen, Adelaide 36ers & Hawkes Bay Hawks (2 games)
F/C Tohi Smith-Milner, Nelson Giants (81 games)
G/F Reuben Te Rangi, BNZ Breakers & Tauranga Whai (76 games)
C Sam Timmins, Southland Sharks (29 games)
C Sam Waardenburg, Melbourne United (4 games)
G Tai Webster, Manawatū Jets (54 games)
Head Coach: Judd Flavell
Assistant Coaches: Mike Fitchett, Daniel Sokolovsky
