Gilas Pilipinas eyes second-round berth in FIBA World Cup qualifiers against New Zealand Tall Blacks

Momentum meets urgency when Gilas Pilipinas takes the floor against the New Zealand Tall Blacks in the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Thursday in Pasay City.

Riding the confidence of a 2-0 start after dominant wins over Guam national basketball team last November, the Philippines has positioned itself for an early passage to the second round. A victory on the opening day of the new window would secure that objective outright, giving head coach Tim Cone and his squad an important cushion heading into the tougher stretch of qualifiers.

New Zealand, meanwhile, enters still searching for its first win after absorbing two losses against regional powerhouse Australia men’s national basketball team.

Recent head-to-head meetings show the challenge awaiting Gilas. New Zealand has won six of the last seven matchups between the two programs, including multiple victories during previous World Cup qualifying cycles. Their physical style and disciplined execution have historically posed problems for the Philippines, particularly in interior defense and transition play.

Still, Gilas has already proven it can overturn history.

During the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2024, the Filipinos stunned the Tall Blacks with a thrilling 93-89 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, marking their first win over New Zealand in a major FIBA tournament setting.

With the rematch again set on home soil, the Philippines will look to recreate that same energy.

One major difference from that breakthrough win is the absence of Kai Sotto, who continues his return from an ACL injury. The 7-foot-3 center dominated the paint in that upset performance, and his presence remains difficult to replace as he powered Gilas with a near triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.

In his absence, frontcourt duties shifted to Quentin Millora-Brown who led Gilas in rebounds in the first window of the qualifiers with 9.5 per game and AJ Edu who in return leads the team in blocks with almost two per game, both big men are tasked with matching the size and physicality of New Zealand’s interior rotation led by Sam Mennenga.

Rebounding and rim protection are expected to play a decisive role, especially against a Tall Blacks squad known for its structured half-court offense.

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Less than a month to go!

Gilas Pilipinas schedule:
February 26 – Thursday
New Zealand
7:30PM pht
MOA Arena
https://t.co/XHq5PsUC9e

March 1 – Sunday
Australia
7:30PM pht
MOA Arena
https://t.co/XHq5PsUC9e

Kitakits mga kababayan!

— Gilas Army ᜑᜓᜃ᜔ᜊᜓᜅ᜔ ᜄᜒᜎᜐ᜔ (@gilasarmy) February 3, 2026

The guard matchup also shapes up as a critical factor, as veterans Chris Newsome and Scottie Thompson are expected to anchor playmaking and  perimeter defense against New Zealand playmaker Taylor Britt, who orchestrated the offense effectively in their last meeting. 

Wing scoring remains another concern after Jordan Ngatai erupted for a strong performance in the teams’ previous clash. Defensive assignments could fall heavily on Dwight Ramos, whose versatility will be key in slowing New Zealand’s perimeter attack.

Both squads may also feature new or returning pieces that could influence rotations.

For Gilas, returnees Juan Gomez de Liano and Justine Baltazar provide additional depth and flexibility, while New Zealand could introduce first-time call-up Keanu Rasmussen.

These potential additions bring unpredictability to a matchup already layered with playoff-level stakes.

Beyond the immediate goal of qualification, the game represents a measuring stick for Gilas as it continues to build chemistry under Cone’s system. A win would not only secure advancement but also reinforce the team’s ability to compete against Oceania’s physical style—an area that has historically challenged Philippine squads.

With a packed home crowd expected once again in Pasay, Gilas Pilipinas gets another opportunity to turn momentum into progress—and possibly reshape its recent history against the Tall Blacks.

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