Auckland: Gilas Pilipinas fell to New Zealand in double overtime, 106-102, in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers on Friday, witnessed by a sold-out crowd at Sphere Arena in Auckland. Big man Sam Mennenga scored back-to-back baskets, highlighted by a two-handed slam, as the Tall Blacks held the lead, 104-102, in the final 14 seconds.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mennenga's four straight points capped an 8-2 run by the home team, which preserved the lead until the end to formally claim a berth in the second round of the qualifiers, where it will join the Philippines and unbeaten Australia (4-0). By escaping the Filipinos yet again, the Tall Blacks improved to 3-2 overall in Group A to peel off from a two-way tie with Gilas.
The Philippines dropped to 2-3 with its third straight loss. It will take on Australia in Perth on July 6. Winless Guam is out of contention. The victory adds to the win streak accumulated by the Tall Blacks over the Filipinos, now at four consecutive wins and undefeated in a World Cup Qualifier game.
Juan Gomez De Liano, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, and Carl Tamayo carried the fight for the Philippines. Naturalized player Justin Brownlee was held to just five points on 2-of-3 field goal shooting. Gomez De Liano, the rookie guard of Converge, and Quiambao, both finished with 23 points and came through with clutch baskets late in regulation and in the first overtime period.
The 26-year-old De Liano hit a huge three-pointer to send the game into a first overtime, 83-all. Gilas actually jumped to a 100-96 lead on Brownlee's lone trey for the game, 2:12 remaining in the second extra period. But the Tall Blacks kept their composure and delivered the game's telling run to clinch the win.
Gilas coach Tim Cone rued letting the game slip away in regulation and in the first OT period. 'The fact that we got to as close as we did, obviously is a huge disappointment,' Cone said in the post-game presser. 'Once you feel like it's in your grasp, and let it slip away, it makes it tough.' 'We have chances in both regulation and in the first overtime to win that basketball game, but we just came up short,' he added.
Ramos added 18 points and Tamayo with 17, including 11 in the first half as he kept Gilas within striking distance. Brownlee had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals, but couldn't get going against the defense of Carlin Davison and the rest of the Tall Blacks.
Reuben Te Rangi led New Zealand with 22 points and Shea Lili finished with 21 points, including two free throws in the final eight seconds that sent the game into a second overtime, 93-all. Sam Waardenburg posted a double-double for the home team with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Mennenga produced 13 points and six boards.
