FIBA: Sotto, Brownlee power Gilas to statement win over New Zealand

Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto against New Zealand in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, November 21, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA (UPDATED) — Gilas Pilipinas continued to cement its place among the best basketball squads in Asia. 

The Tim Cone-mentored team tallied a statement win over New Zealand, 93-89, during their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers bout, Thursday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Justin Brownlee shrugged off any doubts of him remaining as the team's reinforcement by tallying a game-high 26 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, while Kai Sotto had one of his best games while playing for flag and country, putting up a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with seven assists, two steals, and two blocks.

"It was a tough one," said Cone after the game. 

"Our guys were under pressure to win, and they found a way to win. Give credit to our guys. In the second half, we challenged and made [NZ] work for their three-pointers," he added, as PH still managed to win despite their opponents shooting 18-of-35 from beyond the arc.

As Gilas was only ahead by two with under two minutes left in the game, Brownlee made two crucial foul shots to extend their lead to four, 88-84, with only 1:45 remaining in the game, and the Nationals' defense also did its wonders as they forced NZ hotshot Corey Webster to a miss at the 1:31 mark.

Chris Newsome then went on to hit the dagger with only 1:09 on the clock, with the two-way ace draining a three-pointer to give the Philippines a comfortable 91-84 advantage. 

The Tall Blacks, however, refused the give in just yet as Tom Vodannovich went on a personal five-to-nothing spurt which was ended by a three-pointer with only 20 seconds remaining in the game, and this allowed NZ to get to within two, 91-89.

Fortunately for the Philippines, that was the nearest that the Kiwis could get as Brownlee iced the game with a perfect trip to the foul line with only 11 ticks left.

This victory was the first of the Philippines over New Zealand after four games since 2016. Aside from creating history, it also put Gilas at 3-0 in Group B, a win nearer to clinching their spot in next year's Asia Cup in Saudi.

"That's what we're here for, to win these types of games," said Cone of their historic win. "We played Brazil without Kai, Scottie, AJ Edu, and Jamie Malonzo, and we haven't even seen our best team yet. We have beaten No.6 and No.22 because they're giving it their all. It wasn't great coaching, it was just great players."

Aside from Brownlee and Sotto, also among those who made this triumph possible were Scottie Thompson, Newsome, and Dwight Ramos.

After sitting out the 2024 Olympic Qualifiers last July due to injury, Thompson scattered 12 markers, six dimes, and four rebounds in his national team return. Newsome followed with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Ramos also scored 11, and he backed it up with six rebounds and four assists.

Earlier in the third quarter, as Gilas was down 60-56 following a three-pointer by Sam Waardenburg at the 4:33 mark, Gilas charged a 16-0 run all thanks to the efforts of Sotto, Thompson, Brownlee, Newsome, and Carl Tamayo for a 72-60 lead.

Webster stopped the bleeding with a trey to end the third and bring his team to within nine, and this proved to be of help for the Tall Blacks as it then allowed them to stay within five, 74-69, after a dunk by Tyrell Harrison at the fourth quarter's 7:19 mark.

In the first half, Gilas survived a flat 13-to-4 start in the opener by the Kiwis which was powered by treys by Webster and Waardenburg, and a deuce by Walter Brown in the first 2:30 of action.

The Nationals managed to stay within striking distance and get within one, 18-17, after a run that was capped by an up-and-under by Sotto with 1:44 left in the same frame, while a three-pointer by Calvin Oftana 50 seconds later even put them up by two, 20-18.

The Philippines also endured two straight treys in the early parts of the second frame by Webster and Waardenburg — with these baskets putting NZ up 28-20 — as Thompson, Brownlee, and Ramos made it possible for Gilas to tie the game at 45 at halftime, just before their second half surge that eventually got them the win.

Meanwhile, New Zealand, which went down to 2-1 in Group B, was led by Webster's 25 points and five assists, and former Converge FIberXers import Vodanovich who had 19 markers, 15 of which came from beyond the arc. 

The Philippines will return to action on Sunday, November 25, at the same Pasay-based venue and will face Hong Kong at 7:30 p.m.