NEW ZEALAND took all the sting out of the Philippine national team to score a lopsided 88-63 victory on Sunday in the second window of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup qualifiers at the Araneta Coliseum.
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Obviously taller, bigger, more cohesive and deadly from inside and far out, the Kiwis controlled the entire game, allowing the Filipinos to put up a solid fight in the first half before imposing their will to cruise to another one-sided win in the window reduced to three teams after South Korea withdrew because of health issues.
Thirdy Ravena and Dwight Ramos were again the 1-2 punch for the hosts and finished with 23 and 18 points, respectively. Robert Bolick made 10 points but chemistry was still wanting in Chot Reyes’s team that was put together just weeks before the tournament.
The Filipinos kept the Tall Blacks within striking distance in the fist quarter, 19-22, but slowly waned and trailed 30-40 at the half.
The game’s complexion changed entirely in the second half where the Kiwis scattered 48 points while limiting the hosts to 33 points.
New Zealand, ranked six rungs above the Philippines at No. 27 in the world, will win by walkover over the Koreans, who were forced to withdraw on the last minute because of Covid-19 issues, on Monday to top the window with three victories.
Ravena also had five rebounds, five assists and five steals and Ramos added 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks for the Philippines which routed India,88-64 on Friday.
Ravena and Ramos, who both play in the Japan.B league, combined for 32 points against India.
The Kiwis overwhelmingly outrebounded the Filipinos, 54-24, and shot better from the foul line—17 of 25—against the hosts’ 10 of 23.
Dion Prewster scattered 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds and issued six assists while Tom Vodanovich poured in 20 points for New Zealand.
Despite the setback, the Filipinos are 3-1 win-loss record after winning two games by default over South Korea.
Image credits: FIBA.COM