The Tall Blacks added a rare international tournament victory with a second Stankovic Cup scalp, defeating Mexico 70-66 in a fiercely fought final to repeat their efforts of 2011.
The New Zealanders swept the tournament and again it was final quarter heroics that took them to the title as they repelled a Mexican third quarter comeback that then flowed into a narrow lead in the final ten minutes before the Tall Blacks stepped up the pressure at both ends of the floor to take the title.
The win is a curious one in that the team is in preparation mode for the upcoming Oceania Series, a home and away contest against Australia with the winner qualifying for the Rio Olympic Games.
“It is important that we enjoy this and take the time to reflect on what we have achieved,” said head coach Paul Henare. “These moments are rare for New Zealand basketball and we need to take the chance to be proud of what we have done, be humble but be proud.
“But now we quickly turn our attention to the main focus, this is all leading up to the series against Australia, that is our one and only goal and we are only a few steps along the way. We have plenty of improving to do, we know that and we have stayed focused on that throughout this tournament, but for now, I think we have earned the right to enjoy it for a few hours before the flight home.”
Experienced guard Lindsay Tait echoed Henare’s sentiments, he has worn the black singlet for over a decade and has seen plenty in that time, he too was quietly reflecting on the week in China.
“It is very important to recognise the winning, it wasn’t always pretty but we managed to find a way to win which ultimately is the most important thing, along the way I think we made some good steps with that big picture in mind as well.”
Tait paid tribute to his side and their mental toughness in close games.
“They (Mexico) were a tough team, and while we had a good lead in the third quarter, they closed it down and took a lead in the final ten minutes. But that is basketball, it is a game of runs, teams go up double digits and other teams pull it back, but our ability to stick with it in tough games saw us through, we have done that throughout the tournament and that is one big positive we can take from this tournament.”
“We have worked hard and for sure we will enjoy this, the boys are a tight group and we will celebrate together tonight but we are already switched on to the Aussies, that is what this is all about. But this is my second win at the Stankovic, I am lucky and I will always have these memories to take with me for sure.”
Isaac Fotu and Corey Webster were both named to the tournament All-Star-Five, while Webster took out the Tournament MVP as he posted a game high 30 points to cap a consistent week in which he was always a threat to the opposition with ball in hand.
New Zealand dominated the boards in the final to the tune of 48-24, with Fotu a menace collecting 18 of them to go with his 16 points, 6 were on the offensive glass. Tom Abercrombie had a quiet scoring night but picked up 7 boards in a key contribution.
Shooting from distance was not one of the highlights though, with the Tall Blacks making just 6 of 24 from beyond the arc, in an area that is often a strength of the side.
The team will now return to New Zealand, travelling to Hong Kong on Saturday (NZT) before boarding Air NZ80, landing at Auckland International Airport at 10am Sunday morning, with a little extra baggage to put in the trophy cabinet at BBNZ headquarters in Wellington.
Tall Blacks 70; Webster 30, Fotu 16, Vukona 8
Mexico 66; Mende 18, Lozano 13, Hyatt 11
Link to BOX SCORE
http://cba.sports.sina.com.cn/stankovic/schedule/show/13781/
Link to HIGHLIGHTS
http://sports.sina.com.cn/cba/2015-08-07/doc-ifxftvni8802597.shtml
