Tall Blacks cruise past Guam to open up Fiba Asia Cup qualifying with 2-0 record

Shea Ili

The Tall Blacks wrapped up a hugely satisfying opening weekend of Fiba Asia Cup qualifying, following up Thursday's seismic upset over the Boomers with a more workmanlike victory on Sunday at Tai Wesley (201-F-86, college: Utah St.)'s Guam. After the incredible high of a first victory over the Aussies in 11 years, it was always going to be an emotional step down in Guam as Pero Cameron 's Kiwi hoopsters made it two-from-two for the first window of the qualifying process. Playing without centre Rob Loe (heading to Japan soon for an off-season assignment) and Jarrad Kenny (recalled to the Cairns Taipans for NBL finals preparations), the Tall Blacks eventually broke down the resistance of an improving Guam outfit to cruise to a 113-94 victory. The New Zealanders lacked the defensive intensity and execution levels of Brisbane, but still had too much for the Asia Cup newcomers to handle as they spread the scoring among a half-dozen double-figure contributors. Point guard Shea Ili (184-G-92) completed a standout weekend to again lead the way in stat-stuffing fashion for the Tall Blacks with a game-high 25 points (8/15 FG, 2/5 3PT), 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Reuben Te Rangi (198-F/G-94) also completed an excellent window when he knocked down five of eight triples en route to 17 points (6/9 FG) to go with 3 boards and 3 assists, while Jordan Ngatai made 5 of his 10 shots to add 14 points and 5 boards. Sharpshooter Ethan Rusbatch (196-G/F-92, college: Lincoln Trail CC) and comeback kid Dion Prewster (195-G/F-90, college: SF Austin) added a dozen points apiece, while skipper Mika Vukona (197-F-82) chipped in with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Taylor Britt (188-G-96, college: Southeast CC) (7 points, 3 rebounds) tucked away a Tall Blacks debut when he entered the fray off the bench midway through the opening quarter, while schoolboy Taine Murray also saw 4 minutes off the pine late in the contest. Guam were paced by former Kiwi NBL players Earnest Ross (198-G-91, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) (21 points, 6 rebounds) and Curtis Washington (19 points, 10 rebounds), while ex-Breaker Tai Wesley (6 points) played just 11 minutes before limping out of the contest in the second quarter. The New Zealanders shot a respectable 48 per cent from the floor and 39 from beyond the arc, and forced 20 turnovers and made 10 steals with their pressure defence. New head coach Pero Cameron would not have been quite so happy with the 93 points given up and the 47-40 rebounding advantage won by the islanders, though at the end of the hectic weekend a 2-0 record, including just the third ever win over the Boomers in Australia, represents a handy few days' work. Guam had actually led the New Zealanders 24-22 after a scrappy opening quarter, before the Tall Blacks settled things down to lead 56-43 at the half and 86-67 by the end of the third quarter.
Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz


Tags : SHEA ILI, MELBOURNE UNITED, FIBA ASIA CUP BASKETBALL