Gilas ends FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers with disappointing loss to New Zealand

Metro Manila, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas ended its FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers campaign with an 87-70 loss to New Zealand on Sunday at the Spark Arena in Auckland.

Chris Newsome paced Gilas with 13 points on 50 percent shooting from the field along with two assists.

Gilas struggled to keep in step with New Zealand as it trailed by 20 big points at the halftime break.

A second half rally by Gilas was not enough to erase the insurmountable lead that went as high as 28 points.

New Zealand avenged its November window loss to Gilas with a rousing home victory to hold a 5-1 win-loss record and secure the top seed in Group B.

Gilas, meanwhile, dropped both of its games in the third and final window to fall at 4-2 going into the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 happening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August.

June Mar Fajardo had 11 points and five rebounds, while Justin Brownlee chipped in 10 points and four rebounds for Gilas.