Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand are both assured of their spots in the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in August and their match on Sunday, Feb. 23 is practically a no-bearing game with the mere bragging rights of finishing atop the Group B of the qualifiers only at stake.

But not if the teams taking the center stage are fighting for their wounded prides and tarnished egos.

The Nationals try to pick up the pieces from their shock loss to Chinese Taipei while the Tall Blacks are eager to avenge their loss to the Filipinos when they meet one more time at the Spark Arena in Auckland to wrap up their respective qualifiers assignments.

Tip-off of the clash is at 10 a.m (Manila time) with the visiting Filipinos looking to break out of their slump after three-straight losses beginning the Doha International Cup and then carried over to the 91-83 loss to the Taiwanese last Thursday at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium.

Although head coach Tim Cone owned up to the loss, the impact of Kai Sotto’s absence was very much visible as Gilas struggled on the defensive end without the elite rim protection from the 7-foot-3 center.

That will remain a gaping hole to fill in for Gilas especially against the much taller and heftier Tall Blacks as compared to the Taiwanese.

Sotto, for one, anchored Gilas’ 93-89 win over New Zealand with his 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists – and without him, AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo will be left to man the paint for Gilas.

Firepower is certainly not lacking though, not when Justin Brownlee is coming off a 39-point explosion but will need more help from the rest of the crew after only six players managed to barge into the scoring column last time out.

“It’s a tough trip for us, but it’s what makes us better. We’re winning a lot of games before, but now we’re starting to lose. It’s humbling for us,” said Gilas guard Dwight Ramos as the series of losses served as a wake up call for the Nationals.

While everything seemed to be going downward spiral for Gilas since its November win over New Zealand, the Tall Blacks, on the other hand, has been flexing its might and proving it hasn't lost its edge even after absorbing its first loss at the hands of the Filipinos.

New Zealand is coming off a 92-51 domination of Hong Kong with Jordan Ngatai leading the way with 20 points.

Reuben Te Rangi also had 18 while Tai Wynyard added 13 for the Tall Blacks who, this time, will also have the benefit of having a rallying crowd behind it against Gilas.