By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The “Gilas Pilipinas” fell to New Zealand with 80-89, in day 2 of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila and are eliminated from the rest of the tournament.
New Zealand had a better start in the game, with Abercrombie giving his team a 2-6 lead. The Philippines were following in the score, up to Chan’s 3-pointer which even the game at 13 points. Webster gave New Zealand a brief head, 17-21 after 10 minutes.
2 long distance shots from Webster were enough to put New Zealand ahead with 9 points, 19-28 halfway through the second period. William answered for the Philippines, yet Webster drilled another three. Isaac Fotu (plays for CAI Zaragoza) pushed New Zealand back to a 9-point lead, though Blatche made the score 31-38 at halftime.
In the third period, Webster gave his team a double digit lead for the first time (34-45), as they started pulling away. Gilas Pilipinas’s Fajardo reduced to 42-52 a little later, then Blatche made it a 6-point game. Just when things started to get tight for New Zealand, Webster shined again the score became 53-60 after 30 minutes.
In the final period, Blatche took charge for the Philippines, making the score 60-62. Webster and Fotu made their presence just in the right moment and so New Zealand could breathe a little easier in the final moments of the game.
The Philippines seem to have it hard so far, as this was their second loss in the tournament, after surrendering to France.