John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, February 26, 2026. Photo from FIBA

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Gilas Pilipinas

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772110702913verazq0nr8hpwj7xipky.webp" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, February 26, 2026.<em> Photo from FIBA</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— Gilas Pilipinas absorbed its first defeat in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.</p><p>The Nationals, who were coming from a 2-0 sweep of Guam in the first window, were turned back by New Zealand, 69-66, Thursday at the Mall fo Asia Arena in Pasay City.</p><p>&quot;I feel bad. I wish I was better today,&quot; said guard Dwight Ramos, reflecting on the outcome.</p><p>Ramos led a spirited comeback attempt late in the fourth frame, firing a personal five-point output under the final minute. He anchored Gilas within two, twice — first, at the 66-64 mark, nailing a heart stopping triple; second, a second-chance layup that resuscitated the Nationals after Calvin Oftana missed his trey attempt, 68-66.</p><p>After New Zealand&#x27;s Reuben Te Rangi split his shots from the charity stripe, the Levanga Hokkaido baller had a chance to send the game to overtime at 69-66, seven seconds left. However, his shot from the logo missed, hitting the board and the ring, with the buzzer ringing that signaled Gilas&#x27; narrow three-point loss.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/2/26/tall-order-vs-tall-blacks-what-s-at-stake-for-gilas-against-new-zealand-0600"><strong>READ: FIBA: Tall order vs. Tall Blacks — What’s at stake for Gilas in upcoming game against New Zealand?</strong></a></div><p>&quot;I was trying to bank it in and it just didn&#x27;t fall,&quot; said Ramos, who finished with a game-high 16 points and eight rebounds, but shot inefficiently from the field, to which he acknowledged.</p><p>He had a 6-of-21 field goal clip, and only made one trey on 10 tries.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s kind of tough because I missed a lot of shots. Obviously, I missed the last shot,&quot; said Ramos. &quot;Right now, all I can think about is my mistakes. I feel bad but I gotta move on to the next game.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/2/26/dwight-ramos-rues-missed-shots-vs-new-zealand-i-wish-i-was-better-today-2331"><strong>READ: Dwight Ramos rues missed shots, including potential game-tying trey: &#x27;I wish I was better today&#x27;</strong><br/></a></div><p>CJ Perez added 15 points — 10 of those were Gilas&#x27; first markers in the opener, sparking a 14-7 start. However, the Tall Blacks proved steadier as the first quarter went on, carving out a 25-21 lead.</p><p>The Nationals ended the first half with a 10-0 run to tie at 37-apiece, but a lackluster 20-9 third period from the hometown heroes put the New Zealand side on the gas pedal en route to the win.</p><p>Juan Gomez de Liano impressed in his first game back in a Gilas jersey, tallying 10 points and two assists, while AJ Edu led in the rebounding department with 11 boards, to go with five points.</p><p>Coach Tim Cone and company now aim to bounce back against Australia on Sunday at the same venue.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nZHqJwgBatA??si=SLvlwuR0sG1kPNFA&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

FIBA: Gilas falls to New Zealand, absorbs 1st defeat in WC Asian Qualifiers

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FIBA: Gilas falls to New Zealand, absorbs 1st defeat in WC Asian Qualifiers

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 26, 2026 09:24 PM PHT

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Updated February 27, 2026 12:22 AM PHT

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abssports

basketball

FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

New Zealand

Australia

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