Gilas Pilipinas guard Chris Newsome throughout a sport in opposition to New Zealand within the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers in Auckland.–FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Even when Gilas Pilipinas misplaced their final sport within the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, the Philippine group nonetheless really feel like they gained with the quantity of assist they acquired.
On Sunday, Gilas misplaced to New Zealand, 87-70, on the Kiwis’ dwelling soil in entrance of a divisive crowd that mainly subdued no matter dwelling courtroom benefit they thought they’d have.
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Chris Newsome wasn’t in any respect stunned with the quantity of Filipinos that turned up and stayed to look at Gilas regardless of the sport being a blowout loss.
READ: Gilas’ Tim Cone, Kiwi coach overwhelmed by ‘superb’ crowd
“My coach from my membership group Nenad (Vucinic) has informed me loads about New Zealand and the individuals right here and to have the ability to see that firsthand, he’s positively proper,” stated the Meralco star.
“What you noticed within the crowd tonight was a Filipino staple.”
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Motivated by quite a few OFWs in attendance, Newsome spearheaded the Philippines with a team-high 13 factors constructed on an environment friendly 50 % taking pictures clip.
That, nonetheless, wasn’t sufficient because the Tall Blacks had far more firepower led by Tohi Smith-Milner.
READ: Gilas needs to be higher on protection from get-go, says Newsome
Nonetheless, even when Smith-Milner shot the lights out and sank photographs that will’ve despatched a capability crowd in silence. Not the Filipinos contained in the Spark Area, although.
“Regardless of the place you go on the planet, you’re going to see the Filipino individuals present up for his or her basketball group and I feel you noticed that tonight.”
“Despite the fact that we didn’t come out with the win, you’ll be able to see that we have been nonetheless capable of convey pleasure throughout these Filipino individuals, whether or not they’re right here or again dwelling. I feel that speaks volumes on how passionate the Philippines is about basketball.”
If Newsome’s sentiments nonetheless ring true a number of months from now, then Gilas Pilipinas will probably be buoyed by big Filipino assist in August once they get their 2025 Asia Cup marketing campaign stepping into Saudi Arabia.
