{"id":782346,"date":"2026-07-06T09:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T09:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/782346\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T09:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T09:23:09","slug":"nbl-stars-power-tall-blacks-to-epic-double-ot-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/782346\/","title":{"rendered":"NBL stars power Tall Blacks to epic double-OT win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo: fiba.basketball.<\/p>\n

Several NBL stars stood tall when it mattered as the New Zealand Tall Blacks claimed a classic double-overtime thriller over the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers.<\/p>\n

The teams couldn’t be separated at 83 points apiece at the end of regulation, and again after the first overtime, before the Tall Blacks prevailed 106-102.<\/p>\n

It was New Zealand Breakers star Sam Mennenga who ultimately gave his nation the lead for good in the second overtime, throwing down a big dunk with just 52 seconds remaining and the scores tied, before adding another key bucket with 15 seconds left to seal the win.<\/p>\n

The Tall Blacks will now move through to the second round of World Cup Qualifying.<\/p>\n

Reuben Te Rangi top-scored for the home side with 22 points, while Melbourne United guard Shea Ili had 21 to go with six assists in his first game for his country since 2025.<\/p>\n

“Really big win for us,” New Zealand coach Judd Flavell said post-game.<\/p>\n

“We came here with the objective to obviously get the win. We knew the Philippines was gonna be a tough opponent – they always have been. Very proud of our resilience.”<\/p>\n

Check out all the best highlights below.<\/p>\n

New Zealand 106 – Philippines 102Stat leaders<\/p>\n

Reuben Te Rangi \u2013 22 PTS, 8\/15 FG
Shea Ili \u2013 21 PTS, 6 AST
Sam Waardenburg \u2013 16 PTS, 10 REB
Sam Mennenga \u2013 13 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
Tai Webster \u2013 12 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL<\/p>\n

>> BOX SCORE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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