Captain Dion Prewster and forward Tom Vodanovich have powered the Tall Blacks to a convincing 88-63 win over Philippines to remain unbeaten in group play of their World Cup qualifying campaign at Manilla.
Without many of the stars that have starred for the NZ national team in recent year, coach Pero Cameron has had to field a relatively inexperienced team, but has relied heavily on those that have featured at international level previously.
Guard Prewster scored 20 points, while Vodanovich (20 points/10 rebounds) and centre Rob Loe (15/10) both compiled double doubles, as they turned the contest into a physical confrontation that best suited their style.
Forward Taane Samuel played a significant cameo, shooting faultlessly from the field, including two three-pointers, for his 12 points.
A passionate basketball nation, Philippines will co-host the 2023 World Cup with Indonesia and Japan, so have already qualified, but were determined to take down a team six places ahead in world rankings.
Ahead 40-33 at halftime, the Tall Blacks scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to stamp their dominance and another 10-point outburst to draw away further in the final moments.
"It was very big game," says Cameron. "Anytime you play the home team in their country, it's always big, but bigger here in the Philippines, where the sport is very big.
"There was a pretty good turnout in the crowd tonight, which we loved to see. I felt both teams were in it and I'm glad the way our team finished the game."
New Zealand have already dispatched India 101-46 and face the same team again on Monday, but have seen their World Cup hopes boosted by the withdrawal of Korea with a COVID-19 outbreak.
New Zealand 88 (Prewster & Vodanovich 20, Loe 15, Samuel 12) Philippines 63 (Ravena 23, Ramos 18)
