Gilas Pilipinas drops 2OT heartbreaker to New Zealand in Fiba qualifiers

LIVE: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand – Fiba World Cup qualifiers July 3

Gilas Pilipinas in action vs New Zealand in their Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers match in Auckland. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Victory slipped out of the hands of Gilas Pilipinas on multiple occasions before absorbing a 106-102 double overtime loss to host New Zealand in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday.

Gilas appeared on the verge of getting a hard-fought result at Spark Arena in Auckland when it led by four on a rare three-pointer from Justin Brownlee during the second extra period.

But that 100-96 advantage proved to be shortlived as New Zealand came back behind Reuben Te Rangi and Carlin Davidson before Sam Mennenga scored two go-ahead baskets in the waning moments.

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JUAN GOMEZ DE LIANO IS CLUTCH.

WE ARE HEADED TO OT IN AUCKLAND! 🚨#FIBAWC x #StepItUp pic.twitter.com/W5HRwiNDYG

— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) July 3, 2026

His second conversion came off a putback with 14 seconds to make it 104-102 for the Tall Blacks before Davidson deflected Juan Gomez de Liano’s inbound on the ensuing play, resulting in a turnover.

Jordan Ngatai was fouled by Brownlee, albeit in an unsportsmanlike manner, and split his two free throws. Another one of two trips at the foul line by the Tall Blacks, courtesy of Shea Ili, sealed Gilas’ fate.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Juan Gomez de Liaño in action vs New Zealand in their Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers match in Auckland. –FIBA PHOTO

It was a stinging result for Gilas, which came close to producing a first-ever win against New Zealand on its home soil, and just the second in nine meetings between the two sides.

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Gilas dropped to 2-3 in Group A with Australia next on Monday in Perth to wrap up the first round.

But the Philippines squandered a 77-70 lead in the fourth, and it looked like it was heading for defeat in regulation until Gomez de Liano nailed a game-tying three for 93-all and Ngatai’s tip-in at the buzzer was nullified.

MADNESS IN AUCKLAND 🫨

New Zealand ALMOST had the game-winner — but Jordan Ngatai's putback got called off!#FIBAWC x #StepItUp pic.twitter.com/AI5WqXpMbE

— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) July 3, 2026

Gomez de Liano gave Gilas a 93-91 lead with 10 seconds left in the first overtime, but Dwight Ramos fouled Ili while trying to intercept an inbound, and the New Zealand guard hit two foul shots that eventually forced another five-minute session.

Gomez de Liano and Kevin Quiambao scored 23 points each in the defeat, Ramos had 18 while Carl Tamayo tallied 17 for Gilas on a night Brownlee struggled once more against the Tall Blacks.

Brownlee finished with five points as he was held in check by New Zealand, with Davidson as his primary defender.

Te Rangi and Ili had 22 and 21 points, respectively, for the Tall Blacks, who improved to 3-2.

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