Gilas Pilipinas Faces Tough Test Against Strong New Zealand Squad on Feb. 23

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Title Gilas Pilipinas Faces Tough Test Against Strong New Zealand Squad on Feb. 23

As the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers near their climax, Gilas Pilipinas is set to face a stern test against host New Zealand on February 23 in Auckland. The Tall Blacks have recently unveiled a strong 12-man squad that promises to push Gilas to its limits.

Leading the charge for the New Zealand team are three experienced players – forward Jordan Ngatai, Reuben Te Rangi, and Tohi Smith-Milner – who were part of the bronze medal-winning team in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Their inclusion adds a layer of depth and experience to the squad.

The Tall Blacks' final 12-man roster also includes Walter Brown, Corey Webster, Max Darling, Taylor Britt, Sam Waardenburg, Kaia Isaac, Tama Isaac, Jackson Ball, and Tai Wynyard. This group previously faced Gilas Pilipinas in the second window last November, suffering a four-point defeat.

New Zealand's coach, Judd Flavell, is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for the upcoming games against Hong Kong on February 20 and the Philippines on February 23. His ultimate goal is to secure top seed in their pool and position themselves well for the FIBA Asia Cup proper this August in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement posted at the Basketball New Zealand website, Flavell emphasized the importance of winning both games. 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.

Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas will be without its young big man Kai Sotto for their two away games as he undergoes left knee surgery after tearing his ACL in a Japan B.League game last December. Coach Tim Cone expressed confidence in Sotto's ability to recover from the injury and acknowledged that injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of the sport.

As Gilas Pilipinas prepares to face the strong New Zealand squad, it is crucial for them to remain focused and adapt quickly to their opponents' strategies. With a talented lineup and a strong team spirit, Gilas has the potential to come out on top in this crucial matchup.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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