It was the young bloods who led the way for Gilas Pilipinas sans naturalized Justin Brownlee in an impressive showing to start the first of two tune-up games in New Zealand.

The Filipinos showed no signs of fatigue coming off a long and weary trip from their training camp in Australia as they dismantled the Manawatu Jets, 92-61, at the Fly Palmy Arena in Manawatū-Whanganui Region on Sunday afternoon (Manila time).

Head coach Tim Cone gave his main gunner, Brownlee, extra rest and sat him out the whole game in the continuation of Gilas’ build-up for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier.

Despite missing its main offensive option, Gilas proved to be too much for the New Zealand National Basketball League club as the Nationals, behind a sizable crowd composed mostly of Filipino fans, showed cohesiveness in scoring the rout.

Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo took care of the scoring with 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Philippines. Troy Rosario added 11 points in Gilas’ display of collective team effort.

Also making their presence felt were new big men Justine Baltazar and Mike Phillips.

Tapped to fill the big shoes left by unavailable frontliners 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-11 Quentin Millora-Brown, the two De La Salle University products did not disappoint.

They imposed their will on both sides of the court. They picked up easy baskets inside the paint, helped control the boards and made life difficult for the Jets to attack the basket.

Phillips had eight points and Baltazar added five. Juan Gomez De Liano finished with nine points, Dwight Ramos scored eight, while Chris Newsome and AJ Edu submitted seven each for Gilas.

The Pinoy cagers, who experienced travel woes from Brisbane on Saturday, were aggressive right from the tipoff and closed the opening quarter with a 25-12 advantage.

Gilas entered the intermission with a 45-33 lead before opening the second half with a 15-0 barrage. The Nationals cruised the rest of the way.

Kazlo Evans paced Manawatu with 11 points while Jameer Reed added 10.

It was a good primer for Cone’s wards even after the tipoff time got pushed back from its 1 p.m. (New Zealand time) schedule to 6 p.m. due to Gilas’ delayed arrival the day before.

Gilas was supposed to land in Wellington from Brisbane on Saturday but was redirected to Auckland due to weather. The team had to wait for nearly six hours in the airport to get its customs clearance and spent the night in the country’s capital.

The team had to fly again from Auckland to Wellington on Sunday.

Gilas will visit the Franklin Bulls on Tuesday at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe for its final stop before plunging into Group A action of the qualifier.

Brownlee is expected to suit up against the Bulls.

Gilas will face New Zealand on 3 July before traveling back to Perth, Australia and taking on the Boomers on 6 July.

The Philippines lost its last two matches to both rivals in the second window five months ago.

Gilas is tied with the Kiwis with 2-2 win-loss slate behind the unbeaten Aussies (4-0). Guam is winless in four starts.