Gilas Pilipinas guard Chris Newsome throughout a recreation towards New Zealand within the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers in Auckland.–FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Even when Gilas Pilipinas misplaced their final recreation within the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, the Philippine crew 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 principally subdued no matter dwelling courtroom benefit they thought they’d have.
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Chris Newsome wasn’t in any respect shocked 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 crew 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 rather 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 may’ve despatched a capability crowd in silence. Not the Filipinos contained in the Spark Enviornment, although.
“Irrespective of the place you go on the planet, you’re going to see the Filipino individuals present up for his or her basketball crew and I feel you noticed that tonight.”
“Although we didn’t come out with the win, you’ll be able to see that we had been nonetheless capable of carry 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 just a few months from now, then Gilas Pilipinas shall be buoyed by large Filipino assist in August after they get their 2025 Asia Cup marketing campaign entering into Saudi Arabia.
