Jampacked venue awaits Filipinos, Kiwis
MIKE Phillips and Gilas Pilipinas are expected to be showered with support when they face New Zealand in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday in Auckland.
Photograph courtesy of TIEBREAKER TIMES
A homecourt vibe awaits Gilas Pilipinas when it takes on New Zealand in the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier Group A tomorrow.
Based on the reception of Filipino fans that filled the arena during Gilas’ pair of tune-up games, the Philippines is sure to have a loud crowd on its back.
The Tall Blacks posted on their social media page that the Spark Arena in Auckland is already sold out.
“You did that Auckland! Spark Arena is going to be pumping July 3rd, can’t wait,” the team wrote.
Gilas tackles the Kiwis at 7 p.m. (3 p.m. Manila time) in a rematch of their Group A pairing.
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With just a 9,740-seat capacity, organizers are looking to open more seats.
Traditionally, Gilas games, even on the road, have been crowd-drawers.
In fact, the last time the Pinoy cagers visited New Zealand’s homecourt, it drew a crowd of 8,345 despite Gilas losing in a 70-87 rout in the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier on 23 February last year.
Gilas is on the right track in its build-up for the final window of the first round.
The Nationals dominated the Manawatu Jets, 92-61, last Sunday before cruising past another New Zealand National Basketball League club, the Franklin Bulls, 94-66, on Tuesday to sweep their two-game exhibition matches.
Both friendlies saw sizeable Gilas supporters’ attendance, further pumping up the squad in its mission to end a two-game losing skid.
“Not surprised. It’s the same everywhere we go and it’s wonderful,” head coach Tim Cone said in an interview.
The Philippines had a good preparation leading up to the game.
Gilas left Manila last week and held a four-day training camp in Brisbane, Australia, to help the team acclimatize to the cold weather and to build chemistry especially with a couple of new faces inserted into the squad. Cone’s crew flew to New Zealand last Saturday for the final stretch of its preps.
The Philippines is bringing in the core of its roster, with the addition of young big men Mike Phillips and Justine Baltazar. Also getting a spot in the 12-man Gilas roster is forward Troy Rosario after serving as a reserve in the first two windows.
They are expected to fill the huge shoes left by unavailable frontliners 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-11 Quentin Millora-Brown. Also skipping the road tour are injured Calvin Oftana and Scottie Thompson.
Naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who was rested in the two friendlies, leads Gilas.
Other holdovers are Chris Newsome, RJ Abarrientos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, June Mar Fajardo and Juan Gomez de Liano.
Gilas is in for a steep climb against the Tall Blacks, who have the Filipinos’ number in their last four meetings including a close-shaved 69-66 victory at the Mall of Asia Arena last February in the second window.
New Zealand is on a two-game roll.
After taking on the Kiwis, Gilas will travel to Perth to face unbeaten Australia on 6 July.
Gilas and the Tall Blacks sport identical 2-2 win-loss slates behind Australia (4-0) while Guam is winless in four tries.
