Can Gilas solve New Zealand puzzle?

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas takes another shot at solving the massive problem that is New Zealand as they duel for the No. 2 seeding of Group D in the FIBA Asia Cup tonight at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.

The Tall Blacks have been uncrackable for the Filipinos since their previous stints in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with the heavyweight squad tormenting them twice, 88-63 and 106-60.

This dual beatdown, though, only emboldened the Nationals to try harder when they meet again at 8 p.m. (9 p.m. Manila time) to break their tie for second with 1-1 and three points behind virtual group winner Lebanon’s four markers off two straight wins.

“We know New Zealand is going to be very tough but this is what we live for. The hours and hours of putting in extra work, lifting weights, getting up at 5 a.m., it’s all for moments like this when we play a game that nobody expects us to win,” Gilas coach Chot Reyes said.

“All we want is to go out there and give our best, give ourselves a shot. That’s why we love this game. No matter how difficult it is, no matter the adversity, as long as we have that shot, we’ll take it. We’d rather take the shot and miss than not take the shot at all.”

Gilas has an extra incentive to take down New Zealand. If successful, Reyes’ charges will play the Group C third placer in the qualification phase – either Kazakhstan or Syria – for a quarterfinal seat. If not, a more challenging date with the Group C second placer – either Japan or Iran – is up next.

The youth-laden Pinoy cagers hope to get some momentum from their 101-59 rout of India Friday in gunning for the scalp of the Tall Blacks, who are coming off an 86-72 setback to the Cedars.

“That was a very important win. It got us to the next phase for a chance to move forward and it prepared us for New Zealand,” said Reyes.

“New Zealand is a very strong team but one thing you can’t take away from these players is the fight in them. We have a deep level of fight in our players. We don’t have our best team and our best players here but it’s not going to deter us, stop us from playing at our best.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon, which opened its bid with a 95-80 nipping of Gilas, is expected to complete a sweep of its pool assignments versus winless India today en route to Group D No. 1 and outright entry into the Last-8.