LIVE: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand

• Gilas Pilipinas looks to bounce back after an opening day loss in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup when it takes on New Zealand in the group phase.

Gilas Pilipinas fell short in its comeback bid in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 94-86 to New Zealand in the Fiba Asia Cup on Thursday (early Friday Philippine time) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Justin Brownlee’s 37 points couldn’t prevent the Philippines from dropping its second straight game as New Zealand came through with big plays despite seeing an 18-point second quarter lead reduced to three in the fourth.

Taylor Britt came up with big plays down the stretch, most of which came from Gilas Pilipinas’ offensive miscues and defensive lapses, as the Tall Blacks escaped with a victory to tie Chinese-Taipei atop Group D with similar 2-0 slates.

Fiba Asia Cup: Group D standings as of August 8

• Gilas Pilipinas still at the lower part of the standings and faces a must-win battle vs fellow winless Iraq on Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand

• FINAL: Gilas Pilipinas drops to 0-2 in the Fiba Asia Cup after falling to New Zealand, 94-86. The Philippines will now need to beat Iraq on Saturday to go into the qualification round for a spot in the quarterfinals
• Justin Brownlee with a 3-point play. Gilas behind 90-84, 44 seconds to play.
• New Zealand leads 89-82 with 2 minutes left to play after a wild shot from Taylor Britt.
• Justine Brownlee with a 3 in transition! Gilas within 3 again, 85-82. 3:52 to play.
• Dwight Ramos with a jumper over Max Darling! He has 17 now.
• Another Justin Brownlee triple! But Jordan Ngatai immediately makes a 3 of his own in the ensuing play. New Zealand holding on to  an 84-75 edge.
• June Mar Fajardo with a jumper! Gilas Pilipinas still down 81-72.
• Max Darling finishes with a deep corner 3 and New Zealand’s lead rises again to 77-68, to start the fourth.
• END OF THIRD: New Zealand still ahead of Gilas Pilipinas, 74-68.
• Justin Brownlee makes 2 freethrows. Gilas Pilipinas 68, New Zealand 72.
• Tamayo’s 3 downgraded to a long 2. Gilas Pilipinas trails 70-66.
• Carl Tamayo from deep! Gilas Pilipinas, after trailing by 18 earlier, just down by 3, 70-67.
• Tohi Smith-Milner stops Gilas Pilipinas’ run with 2 freethrows. New Zealand leads 70-64.
• Justin Brownlee for 3! The Filipinos are on a 9-0 run here in the third quarter to cut the lead to four, 68-64.
• Long 2 from Dwight Ramos! Gilas Pilipinas cuts into the Tall Blacks lead, 68-61.
• Dwight Ramos slices through the defense for 2! Gilas Pilipinas down 68-59. 2:37 3Q
• Justine Brownlee knocks down a 3! Gilas Pilipinas down 62-52. 7:35 3Q
• June Mar Fajardo with four points here in the third, Dwight Ramos makes a 3 but New Zealand also hitting its mark. The Tall Blacks still ahead 60-45.
• Second half underway. Gilas looking for a better showing here in the second half to avoid a back to back losses.
• HALFTIME: New Zealand 55, Gilas Pilipinas 41.
• The Tall Blacks open a 55-37 lead vs Gilas Pilipinas with back to back triples. New Zealand has 9 threes so far.
• Justin Brownlee for 3! But the Tall Blacks immediately answers with a 3 courtesy of Flynn Cameron. New Zealand leads 47-34.
• June Mar Fajardo to Scottie Thompson! Gilas down 38-31. 4:52 2Q
• New Zealand killing Gilas with its outside shooting. Three straight triples for the Kiwis to push the lead back to double digits, 38-28.
• Jordan Ngatai with back to back triples for the Kiwis. He has 19 points already. New Zealand leads 35-26.
• With the shotclock winding down, Justin Brownlee hits the 3! New Zealand 29, Gilas Pilipinas 26.
• Chris Newsome troops to the line and he makes both. Philippines still playing catch up, 27-23.
• Jordan Ngatai makes two freethrows. New Zealand pushes its lead to 27-21.  8:53 2Q.
• Gilas in transition. AJ Edu kicks it out to Kevin Quiambao, who finishes with a 3. Gilas within 23-21. 9:36 2Q.
• END OF FIRST: New Zealand 23, Gilas Pilipinas 18.
• Chris Newsome with an up and under! Still a 23-18 lead for New Zealand.
• Carl Tamayo ends the drought for the Philippines. He makes 2 freethrows. Gilas down 23-16.
• Jordan Ngatai’s split gives New Zealand a 23-14 advantage with under a minute to play.
• New Zealand opens a 20-14 lead. Gilas hasn’t scored in more since 3:38 in the first quarter.
• Max Darling puts New Zealand back up, 16-14. 3:20 1Q.
• Dwight Ramos scores his first 2 of the game. Still a tied game at 14.
• Justin Brownlee for 3! Game tied at 12 all, 4:52 1Q.
• Jordan Ngatai carrying the load for New Zealand. He has 8 so far with that hook shot.
• Chris Newsome pulls up for a jumper but Jordan Ngatai answers back for New Zealand. 10-8 lead for the Kiwis. 7:17 1Q.
• A 5-0 run gives New Zealand its first lead of the game, 7-6. 7:40 1Q.
• Brownlee with a slam! Stronger start for Gilas here for a 6-2 lead.
• Justine Brownlee takes it strong to the hoop and uses the glass. Gilas with a 4-0 start.
• June Mar Fajardo scores the first point of the game. Gilas 2-0 lead.
• Gilas Pilipinas starting 5 vs New Zealand: Chris Newsome, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, Justin Brownlee and AJ Edu. edu

2025 Fiba Asia Cup scores: August 7

Chinese Taipei closed out the game with a comfortable lead 💪#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/qooCW9j4Ut

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) August 7, 2025

Smooth sailing team Dragon as they grab their second win ⛵️#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/d1w5FKwuEA

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) August 7, 2025

Exciting matchups on game day 3️⃣

Watch the games live on Courtside 1891 📺 Link in Bio 🔗#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/oA9Q9rSEaW

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) August 7, 2025

Chris Ross came to the defense of San Miguel Beer teammate June Mar Fajardo following the star center’s struggles in Gilas Pilipinas’ 95-87 loss to Chinese-Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

When a netizen on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter, called Fajardo a “complete joke” when it comes to playing on the international level, Ross didn’t hesitate to clap back, citing the way things are run under coach Tim Cone’s system.

“June [Mar] isn’t the focal point of the offense. Playing in the triangle before during Asian Games the offense is catered around JB [Justin Brownlee],” Ross said.

August 7, Thursday

11 pm – Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand

Coach Tim Cone acknowledged that the stinging loss to Chinese-Taipei at the start of its Fiba Asia Cup campaign could put Gilas Pilipinas on a difficult road to achieve its ultimate goal.

But with the need to recover from the 95-87 defeat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that left some fans back home rue their decision to stay up late or wake up early to witness the game, Cone expects nothing but a better showing on Thursday against Group D favorite New Zealand.

“This team has shown a lot of bounce-back [performances] in the past, and I think we really have a good chance of playing a really better game the next time out,” Cone said following the contest held at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City.

It’s tough to make out silver linings in a loss but Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone saw one in the form of Kevin Quiambao.

The Philippines dropped its first assignment in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup at the hands of Chinese Taipei, 95-87, but not without an exemplary effort from Quiambao.

The La Salle product’s performance was not something that Cone would not leave unnoticed.

“He came out and played with a lot of energy and hit some big shots for us,” said Cone at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning (Manila time).

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