Gilas Pilipinas failed to protect its four-point advantage in the endgame as it bowed to New Zealand, 106-102, in double overtime the third window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Friday at the Spark Arena in Auckland.
The Tall Black secured their third straight win, since losing two straight in the first window against Australia.
It also marked New Zealand’s back-to-back victories against the Philippines in the Asian Qualifiers, and its fifth straight as well in their head-to-head duel.
New Zealand improved to 3-2 in Group A while the Philippines fell to 2-3, losing its third straight.
Juan Gomez De Liano and Kevin Quiambao scored 23 points each to lead Gilas Pilipinas while Carl Tamayo added 17.
Justin Brownlee struggled mightily in New Zealand’s defense, finishing with just five points on three shot attempts.