New Zealand overcame a gritty second-half comeback from Gilas Pilipinas to secure a 94-86 victory in their Group D clash at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday, August 7, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

After falling behind by 18 points, the Filipinos unleashed a fierce third-quarter run, outscoring the Tall Blacks 27-19. Despite closing the gap, Gilas couldn’t complete the rally in the final stretch, dropping to a 0-2 record in the group stage.

Brownlee explodes but New Zealand stays steady

Justin Brownlee poured in a game-high 37 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a valiant effort for Gilas Pilipinas. Dwight Ramos added 19 points, while June Mar Fajardo contributed 11 in the loss.

New Zealand, however, held its ground behind Jordan Ngatai’s 22-point outing, which also included 3 assists and 2 rebounds. Taylor Britt provided solid support with 19 points and 7 assists, helping the Tall Blacks secure their second win of the tournament.

Crucial game ahead for Gilas vs Iraq

Gilas Pilipinas now faces a must-win situation against Iraq on Saturday, August 9, to keep their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup hopes alive. A loss would likely eliminate them from contention.

Fans are expected to rally behind the national team as they look to bounce back and stay in the hunt for the next round.