Gilas eyes surprise act vs Tall Blacks on the road
Philippine squad targets a statement road win against New Zealand in FIBA World Cup qualifying opener.
Gilas Pilipinas opens its 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign on the road against the New Zealand Tall Blacks, chasing a statement upset in the third window opener. The Philippine team, chasing a first-ever World Cup berth, faces a Tall Blacks squad that has lost just once in their last five qualifiers. Tip-off is scheduled for August 29 in Wellington, with the stakes higher than ever after Gilas’ narrow misses in past windows.
New Zealand has already booked their spot in the 2024 Olympics, but their focus remains sharp for World Cup qualifying. The Tall Blacks, ranked 26th globally, have shown resilience under coach Paul Henare, blending veterans like Thomas Abercrombie with rising stars such as RJ Hampton. Their home court advantage in Wellington’s TSB Arena adds another layer of difficulty for Gilas, which has struggled on the road in recent qualifiers.
