MANILA: New Zealand just turned the Philippines’ Olympic dream into a nightmare.
Executing almost flawlessly all game long on Wednesday night, the Tall Blacks utterly dominated Gilas Pilipinas and scored an 89-80 victory that ousted the Filipinos from further contention in the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Brothers Tai and Corey Webster dominated their counterparts in the backcourt and combined for almost half of the entire New Zealand output with the Kiwis defense holding the Filipinos to the minimum in the first three quarters that spelled the difference.
The loss was the second straight for the Philippines after a 93-84 defeat at the hands of Tony Parker and France on Tuesday night, certainly an early exit for the team that prepared long and hard just to have a shot of at least making it past the first round.
Not even a near sellout crowd could boost the Philippines out of its bum start as New Zealand, after breaking free from a 15-all game, was never headed the rest of the way.
The Websters got help from center Isaac Fotu and built several 13-point leads, and when the Filipinos finally got going in the fourth quarter to come within two points at 62-60, a fourth man — Thomas Abercrombie — helped New Zealand apply the finishing touches on Gilas.
Abercrombie scored seven points in a telling 16-5 run as New Zealand knocked the wind out of the Philippines’ sails with a 78-65 lead heading into the last 2:32.
Andray Blatche scored just four points in the first half but finished with 30, trying doggedly to bring the Philippines back only for the Kiwis to have an answer each time.
“We didn’t play our best basketball out there tonight,” Gilas coach Tab Baldwin told international media. “And that’s on us. We needed to play better.”
After giving out a sterling effort against the French side that had several NBA veterans counting Parker, the Philippines was no doubt labeled as the favorite to conquer New Zealand.
But Tai Webster attacked Jason Castro right away and got Asia’s best point guard in foul trouble early and New Zealand coach Paul Henare assigned so many men to harass Terrence Romeo as the Philippine duo was good for only 18 points.
Tai Webster went on to shoot 25 and complete a double-double with 11 rebounds – night-highs both.
“It hurts,” Gilas skipper Gabe Norwood told local scribes, his voice barely audible. “The team would like to thank the fans that came out to see us play. We fell short, obviously.”
With the win, New Zealand earned a shot at No. 1 in Group B as it plays France on Thursday at 9 p.m.
The winner of that match will clash with either Turkey or Senegal in the Final Four slated Saturday night. The Turks and the Senegalese clash in a KO game at 6:30 p.m. also on Wednesday.
Canada topped Group A and will face the loser of the France-New Zealand game.
The Canadians got more than they bargained for against a tough Senegal side before pulling out a 58-55 victory in the first game.
Corey Joseph paced the Canadians with 13 points.
Philippines’ Olympic dream in tatters after Kiwi win
Philippines’ Olympic dream in tatters after Kiwi win
