One that got away

Time was down to 14 seconds and Gilas had possession to either tie the game or win it on a triple or a three-point play. Juan Gomez de Liaño was tapped to inbound but couldn’t find an open recipient. Justin Brownlee broke free but De Liaño’s pass was deflected by Carlin Davison and the ball went to Jordan Ngatai. Brownlee held Ngatai’s arm as he headed for a break and was called for an unsportsmanlike foul. The call could’ve been challenged by coach Tim Cone but there was no doubt. Ngatai made one of two free throws, missing the front end and on the next possession, Shea Ili was fouled. Ili shot one of two, also missing the front end and Chris Newsome’s three wasn’t close at the buzzer. New Zealand won, 106-102 in 2 OTs after the score was tied, 102-all, with 36 seconds left in the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying third window in Auckland last Friday.

Cone said the loss was a huge disappointment because Gilas had multiple chances to steal the outcome. Gilas’ 20 turnovers were a damper as the Tall Blacks pressed from the start, switching seamlessly without giving up a mismatch. Brownlee was doubled nearly the entire regulation period and in the two extensions, Davison alternated with Ngatai to provide single coverage as the Tall Blacks stayed home on every player. Brownlee took only three attempts the entire contest and finished with five points in 35:51 minutes. It was his first outing since Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals 16 days before and he never got going although his triple pushed Gilas’ lead to four with 2:12 to go in the second OT. The disparity in free throws was telling. New Zealand went 26-of-35 compared to Gilas’ 14-of-22. The Tall Blacks also had the edge in second chance points, 19-10, turnover points, 25-17, fastbreak points, 18-5 and paint points, 48-38. Gilas shot at a higher clip from the floor, 48 percent to 43 and hit two more threes but couldn’t keep New Zealand out of the line.

Gilas’ difficulty to inbound against New Zealand’s physical press was a factor. The Tall Blacks’ size under the boards was a killer as Gilas could’ve used Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown to limit their second opportunities but they were unavailable. Despite Brownlee’s inability to extricate from the defense, Gilas nearly won it, a testament to Cone’s adjustments. RJ Abarrientos was 0-of-6 from three but his 10 assists kept Gilas in the fight. There were 14 lead changes and 12 ties, indicating it could’ve gone either way.

New Zealand is ranked No. 24 in the world and Gilas, No. 36. The Tall Blacks lineup had nine players with US college experience, three with NBA Summer League creds and six World Cuppers. Yet Gilas almost had their number. Young guns Kevin Quiambao, 25, Carl Tamayo, 25, De Liaño, 26, Abarrientos, 26, AJ Edu, 26 and Dwight Ramos, 27 delivered monster numbers. They’re the reason why the future looks bright for Gilas.