Gilas Pilipinas Aims to Bounce Back After Stunning Loss to Chinese Taipei
A Crucial Turning Point in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Campaign
After suffering a shocking 95-87 loss to Chinese Taipei, Gilas Pilipinas is now in must-win territory as it braces for a tough battle against New Zealand in the 31st FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Filipinos are determined to regroup and fight for a spot in the knockout stages, with head coach Tim Cone calling on his players to focus on what lies ahead.
Regrouping After a Setback
Gilas Pilipinas entered the tournament with high hopes but faced an unexpected roadblock early in the competition. Chinese Taipei, bolstered by new talent, stunned the Filipino squad in their group stage opener. Despite the disappointing result, Coach Cone remains grounded and optimistic.
“This may be a big roadblock for us right here, but it’s something that we have to try to overcome,” Cone said. “If we have to come through the loser’s bracket, then we’ll try to do that.”
He added that while the team can take a moment to absorb the loss, there’s no time to dwell on it. “We got New Zealand coming up and we got to be ready for them.”
Tall Challenge Ahead: Facing World No. 22 New Zealand
Standing in Gilas’ path is New Zealand, the world’s 22nd-ranked basketball team, known for their grit and physical style of play. The Tall Blacks opened their FIBA Asia Cup campaign with a dominant 100-78 win over Iraq, showcasing their depth and firepower.
Although they were tested early by the Iraqis, New Zealand found their rhythm in the second half to pull away and secure the victory. Team captain Jordan Ngatai acknowledged that there’s still work to be done: “The boys set a pretty high standard from the last Asia Cup. Hopefully, we can do better than that.”
New Zealand secured a bronze medal in the 2022 edition of the tournament held in Jakarta, and they are aiming for an even better finish this time.
A Familiar Rivalry Renewed
The upcoming clash will be another chapter in the growing rivalry between the Philippines and New Zealand. Gilas claimed a memorable 93-89 win in November during the Asia Cup qualifiers held at the Mall of Asia Arena. However, the Tall Blacks responded swiftly, securing a commanding 87-70 win at Spark Arena in Auckland just six months later.
While veteran scorer Corey Webster is absent from the New Zealand roster, several experienced players like Taylor Britt, Tohi Smith-Milner, Max Darling, and Ngatai are back, ready to lead the team’s campaign once more.
What’s at Stake
A win against New Zealand could keep Gilas in contention for an outright quarterfinals berth. However, another loss would force them into a must-win situation against Iraq in their final group stage game to remain in the playoff hunt.
Coach Cone and the team understand the magnitude of the task ahead. The goal is simple: regroup, refocus, and rise above the adversity.