Gilas Pilipinas’ brewing rivalry against vengeful New Zealand is the highlight of Group B in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window.

Sure, it may not mean much for both teams’ campaign in the final leg of the qualifiers after booking their respective tickets to the main draw as early as November last year, but it won’t stop the two proud programs from going all-out to prove something.

Gilas wants to make a strong statement that its big upset over New Zealand on its home turf last year is no fluke when it charges into the Tall Black’s stomping grounds on Sunday.

Gilas coach Tim Cone and his crew are priming up for the much-anticipated rematch in Auckland in an away game against Chinese Taipei putting their unbeaten record on the line as of press time.

Gilas scored a historic 93-89 stunner over the Kiwis to start the second window last 21 November at the jampacked Mall of Asia Arena.

It was the Filipinos’ first win over the world No. 22 Tall Blacks after five FIBA-sanctioned tournament meetings in eight years.

But replicating its feat back home will be a tall order for the visiting Gilas, who are unbeaten in four games after the first two windows to secure a seat to the main tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 5 to 17 August.

It won’t be enjoying the same size advantage it had in the second window with 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto out of the picture after suffering a knee injury that could sideline him for the rest of the year.

Sotto was a menace on both ends of the floor for New Zealand, scoring 19 points with 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal.

“The only thing we regret, we don’t have Kai,” Cone said.

“Kai is a huge difference maker, particularly in the way we play in our system so that’s going to hurt.”

Fortunately, Gilas will have 6-foot-11 AJ Edu in the fold after sitting out the first two windows because of an injury. Edu will provide the stops underneath along with veteran bigs June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee, Chris Newsome, Dwight Ramos and Scottie Thompson are back to provide the firepower supported by Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo.

Mason Amos and Troy Rosario have been listed as reserves against the Taiwanese but are very much ready to step up when called to active duty against New Zealand.

On the other hand, the Tall Blacks are out for vengeance.

Learning a tough lesson in Manila, New Zealand is determined to snatch the top seeding in the group from the hands of the Filipinos for a favorable draw in the main tourney.

The Tall Blacks, parading a 3-1 card in second spot, are battling winless Hong Kong on the road as of press time.

“The ultimate goal is to get top seed out of our pool so that we position ourselves in the best pool when it comes to the Asia Cup in August. So, we need to win both games. That’s the job we have in front of us,” New Zealand coach Judd Flavell said.

Flavell has selected a strong 12-man squad to face Gilas at the Spark Arena at 10 a.m. (Philippine time).

Six players from last year’s squad will be back, led by Corey Webster, Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Max Darling, Kaia Isaac and Sam Waardenburg.

Added to the fold are Jordan Ngatai, Tohi Smith-Milner, Reuben Te Rangi, Tai Wynyard as well as youngsters Jackson Ball and Tama Isaac.

“We have put together a great mix of experience. Some guys that are well-established Tall Blacks and have played a lot of games for the black singlet,” added Flavell, whose squad torched Gilas with 18 triples the last time out.

“We’re mixing that in with a lot of youth and continuing on the theme of growing and fast-tracking our younger stars. We have two new players to add to that mix in Tama Isaac and Jackson Ball.”