Fiba Asian qualifiers: New Zealand survives Iran in OT

New Zealand’s Shea Ili during a game vs Iran in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—New Zealand began the Manila stretch of the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers with a 93-91 overtime victory over Iran at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

Shea Ili starred in the Tall Blacks’ down-the-wire win with 24 points on a hot 6-for-10 shooting night.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas falls to New Zealand in 2OT in Fiba qualifiers

“Every team has a chance [here]. Iran was a quality opponent and so is Syria, for our next game,” coach Judd Flavell said.

“There’s a lot of work to do. For us, it’s all about inching our way forward and keeping our continuity.”

New Zealand’s win over Iran gave Gilas Pilipinas a couple of roadblocks heading into the second round.

For starters, the Tall Blacks tied Iran in Group E with identical 5-2 records and 12 points while the Philippines is currently fifth in the group with a 2-4 record, good for eight points.

Sam Mennenga helped Ili with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds for New Zealand. Reuben Te Rangi and Sam Waardenburg also had 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Matin Aghajanpour topscored for Iran with 19 points. Mohammad Amini and Seyed Mahdi Jafari added 16 and 14, respectively, in the defeat.