Sam Waardenburg of the Tall Blacks against Chinese Taipei. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
The Tall Blacks have booked their place at next year's Asia Cup with a 81-64 win over Chinese Taipei in their qualifying match Christchurch.
The victory moves the Tall Blacks to three wins and one defeat and assures New Zealand of a place in next year's tournament in Saudi Arabia with qualifying games in February still to come.
The win follows the Tall Blacks upset loss to the Philippines in Manila last week and means the Philippines, who lead Group B ahead of New Zealand, have also sealed their place at the 2025 Asia Cup.
They join the hosts, Japan, and defending two-time Asia Cup champions Australia in teams already qualified.
"I said in the group in the locker room, we got the job done," offered head coach Judd Flavell. "These are good lessons for us to learn moving forward."
Sam Waardenburg top-scored for the Tall Blacks with 16 points and 13 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, and a block.
It was a defensive arm wrestle at times but a strong final quarter helped power the home side to victory.
There were multiple personal milestones on the night, 17-year-old Oscar Goodman made his Tall Blacks debut, coming into the game late in the first quarter, in the process becoming the ninth youngest player to earn that honour at 17 years and 293 days.
Kaia Isaac quickly followed Goodman as a first time Tall Black, as the NZ Breakers guard entered the fray early in the second quarter.
The Tall Blacks next match is a return clash with the Philippines in February before a trip to Hong Kong to round out their qualification programme ahead of the Asia Cup.