Even After That 27-Point Loss, Gilas Pilipinas Still Advances to FIBA World Cup Second Round — Thank You, New Zealand!
Here's a plot twist: despite getting demolished 66-93 by Australia earlier today, Gilas Pilipinas has officially clinched a spot in the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. And they have the New Zealand Tall Blacks to thank for it.
New Zealand's 99-67 demolition of Guam earlier in the day mathematically guaranteed that the Philippines would finish in the top three of Group A, regardless of their own result against the Boomers. With Guam now eliminated at 0-4, and the Philippines sitting at 2-2, Gilas is through.
It's a bittersweet moment — advancing to the next round despite losing two consecutive games at home (69-66 to New Zealand and 93-66 to Australia) doesn't exactly inspire confidence. But the math is the math, and Gilas' 2-0 sweep of Guam in Window 1 proved to be the crucial foundation.
Australia, meanwhile, cruised through with a perfect 4-0 record after dominating the Philippines at the MOA Arena. The Boomers have been untouchable throughout the qualifiers, led by Elijah Pepper's 28-point explosion against Gilas.
The Philippines is gunning for their eighth FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance and fourth consecutive showing since their return to the tournament in 2014. There's still one more First Round window to play, giving Tim Cone and company time to iron out the kinks before the Second Round begins.
Source: FIBA
