Tall Blacks beat Philippines, earn better Asia Cup draw

The Tall Blacks have beaten the Philippines 87-70 in Auckland to top their pool and earn a favourable draw at basketball's Asia Cup in August. The Tall Blacks started the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers with a 92-51 win over Hong Kong in Hong Kong on Thursday before a gruelling turn-around and long-haul flight back to Aotearoa. Both sides had already qualified for the Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia but today's game decided the outright winner of Group B, and a place in the best pool in August. A three point barrage in first half gave the Tall Blacks an early advantage. The Tall Blacks dominated the first half, leading 53-33 at the main break but the Philippines toiled hard in the third quarter, losing the period by just one point. New Zealand led 74-55 going into the final quarter and the Philippines closed the gap to single figures but the Tall Blacks managed to keep the visitors at arms length. Tohi Smith-Milner (206-F-1995, college: Polk State CC) top scored for New Zealand with 25 points. Corey Webster (188-SG-1988, college: Lambuth), who brought up his 100th game for the Tall Blacks, was a calming presence with 14 points.
Courtesy of: mz.co.nz