MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas, the country's men’s national basketball team has bid goodbye to its Rio Olympic dream as New Zealand's Tall Blacks won the FIBA 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) Manila leg, 89-80 on Wednesday, July 6 at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was a must-win game for the Gilas Pilipinas, which has now been officially eliminated from the tournament.
READ: New Zealand shatters Philippines’ Rio 2016 dream
Watch the highlights and full video replay of Gilas Pilipinas vs. New Zealand on this page courtesy of FIBA and Sports5.
Corey Webster was the marked man for the Kiwis heading into this game, but it was his younger brother Tai who stole the show. The younger Webster scored 25 points on top of 11 rebounds and 3 assists and to lead the Tall Blacks. He also made all but one of his 11 free throws.
Gilas' Andray Blatche’s explosion of 30 big points and seven rebounds was not enough against a tough Kiwi squad that will now join Canada and France in the semifinal round.
Jayson Castro finished with 13 points and three assists while June Mar Fajardo and Jeff Chan both finished with 11.
The scores:
New Zealand (89) – T. Webster 25, C. Webster 23, Fotu 17, Abercrombie 13, Bukona 6, Ili 2, Bartlett 2, Loe 1, Anthony 0, Karena 0.
Gilas Pilipinas (80) – Blatche 30, Castro 13, Fajardo 11, Chan 11, Rosario 7, Romeo 5, Reyes 2, Parks 1, Norwood 0, Pingris 0, Aguilar 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 38-31, 60-53, 89-80.
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| New Zealand breaks Philippine hearts, eliminates Gilas Pilipinas from Olympic contention. Photo: FIBA |
READ: New Zealand shatters Philippines’ Rio 2016 dream
Watch the highlights and full video replay of Gilas Pilipinas vs. New Zealand on this page courtesy of FIBA and Sports5.
Corey Webster was the marked man for the Kiwis heading into this game, but it was his younger brother Tai who stole the show. The younger Webster scored 25 points on top of 11 rebounds and 3 assists and to lead the Tall Blacks. He also made all but one of his 11 free throws.
Gilas' Andray Blatche’s explosion of 30 big points and seven rebounds was not enough against a tough Kiwi squad that will now join Canada and France in the semifinal round.
Jayson Castro finished with 13 points and three assists while June Mar Fajardo and Jeff Chan both finished with 11.
The scores:
New Zealand (89) – T. Webster 25, C. Webster 23, Fotu 17, Abercrombie 13, Bukona 6, Ili 2, Bartlett 2, Loe 1, Anthony 0, Karena 0.
Gilas Pilipinas (80) – Blatche 30, Castro 13, Fajardo 11, Chan 11, Rosario 7, Romeo 5, Reyes 2, Parks 1, Norwood 0, Pingris 0, Aguilar 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 38-31, 60-53, 89-80.
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