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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider New Zealand coach laments defensive lapses vs Gilas

New Zealand coach laments defensive lapses vs Gilas

Published Nov 22, 2024 07:40 am

At A Glance

  • New Zealand head coach Judd Flavell lamented his team's defensive shortcomings as Gilas Pilipinas got into the groove during a pivotal third quarter which spelled the difference in their 93-89 loss in the 2025 FIBA Asia Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Nov. 21.

New Zealand head coach Judd Flavell lamented his team's defensive shortcomings as Gilas Pilipinas got into the groove during a pivotal third quarter which spelled the difference in their 93-89 loss in the 2025 FIBA Asia Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Nov. 21.

IMG_8460.jpg
Justin Brownlee soars for a layup against New Zealand (Mark Balmores/ MB)

The Tall Blacks, behind their torrid outside shooting that saw them finish with 18 made triples in the contest, seemed to be in control despite the tight contest but allowed Gilas go into a back-breaking 16-0 run in the third quarter.

“We were there for the majority of the game. We had a patch in the third quarter where we sort of let it slip away and they (Gilas) were able to capitalize on offensive rebounds and points in the paint,” said Flavell whose coaching debut for the Tall Blacks was spoiled by Gilas’ first-ever win over New Zealand.

The Kiwis were actually still holding on to a four-point lead, 60-56, in the third before Kai Sotto provided the spark for the hosts and simply pounced his way inside.

Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee also had their share of the spotlight as Gilas erected its largest lead at 12 before taking a nine-point cushion, 72-63, when the dust settled at the end of the third frame.

Veteran Corey Webster, who led the hot-shooting Tall Blacks with five treys to finish with 25, shared the same sentiment, noting at how his team let the game slip out of its hand.

“When you let a lead slip so many times in international ball, it's, you know, it takes a bit of your energy,” said Webster.

“We just need to clean up a few things, but I'm proud of the boys and how they came out and we fought all the way to the end,” he added.

New Zealand did show some fight and refused to go down easily as it still threatened to come back in the waning seconds but iGilas simply emerged as the better team this time around.

“We knew it was going to be a tough contest. The Philippines is a very, very polished outfit and they play a very structured offense and they are very big, very physical,” added Flavell.

“We knew this coming into the game and that was going to be our, I guess, some of the keys that we had to do on the defensive end,” he added.

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