The New Zealand Tall Blacks outscored the Philippines from the perimeter to pull off a 92-75 win Sunday night in Group D hostilities of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia.
Flynn Cameron led the Tall Blacks with 18 points, while Taine Murray fired 16 points as New Zealand finished its Group Stage assignment in second spot with a 2-1 win-loss record.
Yousef Khayat banged in 15 points for Lebanon, which demolished India, 104-63, and swept Group D after three wins.
Lebanon advanced to the quarterfinal round with Iran, Australia and South Korea, while the Tall Blacks also reached the playoff with Gilas.
Gilas will meet Japan on Tuesday in the playoffs, for a chance to reach the quarterfinals and set up a clash with Australia.
The Tall Blacks confront Syria also in the playoffs. They can reach the Round of 8 and go up against South Korea if they win.
Kiefer Ravena topscored with 17 points for the Filipinos, who ended the group stage with a 1-2 card.
A 12-3 blast in the first period allowed the Tall Blacks to immediately take control as they went on take a 15-5 spread off Kruz Perrot Hunt’s two triples.
“We lost the game in the first quarter. We got outrebounded by 33 and there was no chance for us getting outrebounded that way. But as I told the players after the game, we still have a chance, one more,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes.