AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - Games between New Zealand and the Philippines have become must-see TV given their recent encounter, and that's precisely why there's been much excitement in their looming rematch.
Both the budding rivals are bound to meet anew this Friday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' third window, in a bout that bears more importance to the contenders from Oceania.
Gilas are already headed to the Second Round along with Australia in Group A, and the Tall Blacks would want to follow suit by taking care of business against their Southeast Asian foes.
And we've listed down a quartet of reasons why New Zealand could get the job done in keeping their hopes of reaching the World Cup for an eighth time very much alive. Keep reading and let us know if you agree.
History is in their favor
Both teams have fought each other eight times thus far in FIBA play, and New Zealand have won seven of those. The most recent of which was a 69-66 decision back in Window 2 in Pasay City.
It was, furthermore, their third successive victory against the Filipino dribblers since being on the receiving end of a 93-89 shocker during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers' second window in the same city.
Head-to-Head: Philippines vs New Zealand
Result | Winner | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
PHI 66-69 NZL | NZL | World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers | February 26, 2026 |
PHI 86-94 NZL | NZL | Asia Cup 2025 | August 7, 2025 |
NZL 87-70 PHI | NZL | Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers | February 23, 2025 |
PHI 93-89 NZL | PHI | Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers | November 21, 2024 |
PHI 75-92 NZL | NZL | Asia Cup 2022 | July 17, 2022 |
PHI 60-106 NZL | NZL | World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers | June 30, 2022 |
NZL 88-63 PHI | NZL | World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers | February 27, 2022 |
PHI 80-89 NZL | NZL | OQT 2016 | July 6, 2016 |
That stunner of a loss ended the Tall Blacks' unbeaten four-game winning streak against the Philippines before rebounding in the following window of the very same Asia Cup Qualifiers, and haven't lost since.
Four in a row soon?
Star power
For a bit of a look-back, the first time that both countries crossed paths in the FIBA stage was during the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, which saw New Zealand win by way of an 89-80 escape.
A total of four players finished in double-digits in that bout, with Tai Webster starring as as the leading scorer, shooting on 46.7-percent shooting from the floor.
# | Players | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | EFF |
0 | 32:17 | 25 | 11 | 3 | 26 |
Ten years later and the Manawatu Jets guard is back to play against the Philippines again, marking as well his first Tall Blacks campaign since the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China where they finished 19th.
Also coming back is one of their more seasoned pieces in Shea Ili. Decorated in both the NBL and NZNBL, the 33-year-old PG makes his way back to the men's team after a one-game stint in the last Asia Cup Qualifiers.
The 'Sams'
Aside from equipping themselves with established guards, New Zealand beefed up their frontcourt by bringing back Sam Waardenburg. who last played for the men's team during the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers.
His return has created quite a buzz, as he'd be paired up with Sam Mennenga, who's been one of the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers' more consistent producers with averages of 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and a block.
But actually, the Tall Blacks have formed a towering troika of Sams. Also part of their Window 3 roster is forward-center Sam Timmins, who's been with the senior team since the 2017 Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon.
None from this triple combo stand below 2.06 M (6'9") and that, indeed, should be a huge challenge for the Philippines, who are fielding an undersized team as they won't have Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown.
Turf
Tickets for the game - to be held at the Spark Arena - have been sold out, as announced proudly by no less than Basketball New Zealand through their official social media pages.
Nothing beats the feeling of playing in front of your own fans and compatriots and New Zealand are excited to feel that rush once more, hoping as well to give the visiting side a dose of their own medicine.
Plus, they've taken advantage of being at home. In fact, they built a long streak of winning in their own turf before bowing to Australia back in Window 1 no thanks to Davo Hickey, and so they'll try to build another.
The last time the Tall Blacks and Gilas met in Auckland was during the February window of the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers, in which they won via convincing fashion, 87-70. Can they pull off a repeat?
FIBA