The Gilas Pilipinas national basketball squad played a splendid basketball against one of their toughest opponent, New Zealand Tall Blacks, the no. 18 FIBA ranked in the world. Although Gilas gave their best shot they suffered a controversial one-point game against the host team.
The Philippines pushed the world-cl(–foul word(s) removed–) team, Tall Blacks to the limit but they dropped into a heartbreaking 77-76 loss after a questionable call from one of the referees who officiated the game.
Although the Gilas Pilipinas wrapped up their tune-up games in New Zealand with a loss but the Filipinos played more stronger right now, ending their campaign in a strong note, playing with a lot of energy and determination against a team that previously competed in the Olympics and the World Basketball Championships.
The Tall Blacks were composed of veteran campaigner Corey Webster, BJ Anthony, Casey Frank and former Junior Tall Blacks team captain Reubent Te Rangi. With the Philippines successful training camps in New Zealand, the Gilas Pilipinas will now return home to continue their buildup for the FIBA Asia Championship.
The Gilas Pilipinas will be playing against a PBA select team and against Kazakhstan’s national squad – before gearing up for the August 1 to 11 tournament which will be held most of the games at the world-cl(–foul word(s) removed–) SM Mall of Asia Arena.
