By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
New Zealand overcame a squandered 12-point lead to edge past the Philippines, 106–102, in a thrilling double-overtime encounter at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Friday. This crucial victory officially clinched the hosts a coveted spot in the final four of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The Gilas Pilipinas forced the initial extra period when Juan Gomez De Liano drained a dramatic three-pointer to tie the match at 83–83 with just 11.9 seconds remaining in regulation, followed by a disallowed Kiwi putback at the buzzer. In the first overtime, Shea Ili rescued his team by leveling the score at 93–93 with 7.8 seconds left, pushing the intense battle into a second extra session, where New Zealand dug its way out of a four-point hole to secure the key win.
Reuben Te Rangi fueled the winning side with 22 points, while Ili added 21 points with six assists, and Sam Waardenburg secured a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. For the visitors, Juan Gomez De Liano and Kevin Quiambao paced the offense with 23 points apiece.
Elsewhere in Group A, Australia targets a 5-0 start against Guam, while Korea and China host Chinese Taipei and Japan in Group B, following earlier wins by Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Qatar across the other two groups.
FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers
Standings
Group A
1. x-Australia 8 (4-0)
2. x-New Zealand 8 (3-2)
3. x-Philippines 7 (2-3)
4. o-Guam 4 (0-4)
Group B
1. Japan 7 (3-1)
2. Korea 6 (2-2)
3. China 6 (2-2)
4. Chinese Taipei 5 (1-3)
Group C
1. x-Iran 9 (4-1)
2. x-Jordan 9 (4-1)
3. x-Syria 7 (2-3)
4. o-Iraq 5 (0-5)
Group D
1. x-Lebanon 9 (4-1)
2. x-Saudi Arabia 8 (3-2)
3. x-Qatar 8 (3-2)
4. o-India 5 (0-5)
x-clinched second-round berth
o-eliminated
-Top 3 teams from each group advance to the Second Round of the Qualifiers
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