The Philippines' national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, is set to face off against New Zealand in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Friday in Auckland.
The New Zealand squad boasts a wealth of international experience and firepower, with the addition of veteran guards Tai Webster and Shea Ili, FIBA Asia Cup stalwart Mojave King, and young center Sam Waardenburg to the team.
Webster, 31, is making a comeback after last playing for New Zealand, averaging 13.4 points and 4.8 assists in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. Ili, a two-time Defensive of the Year awardee in the NBL, is set to add to his 73 appearances for the New Zealand team in this window.
New Zealand coach Judd Flavell praised the duo, saying, "Shea and Tai are two guys that have great experience on the international scene, it's great to have them available."
The New Zealand team also includes Taylor Britt, Carlin Davison, Sam Mennenga, Taine Murray, Jordan Ngatai, Tohi Smith-Milner, Reuben Te Rangi, and Sam Timmins, who are all returning for the rematch against Gilas.
Gilas Pilipinas, led by recharged Justin Brownlee, is also bringing back eight players from the previous duel, including Brownlee, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Chris Newsome, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, and Carl Tamayo.
This time around, Gilas will be joined by debutants RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, Troy Rosario, and Mike Phillips, who are set to give the rematch a different flavor.
The match, set at the Spark Arena in Auckland, has already sold out, adding to the electricity as the visitors eye revenge and the home side seeks a repeat to book the third and last ticket to the next round.
Gilas is already assured of its spot in Round 2 with six points on two wins against two losses, while Australia has a lock on the top qualifying berth from this bracket with eight points on a perfect 4-0 record.
