Tall Blacks outclass Hong Kong

WELLINGTON: The Tall Blacks have romped to a 12465 victory over Hong Kong in their World Cup qualifying game in Rotorua.

Winner by a resounding 59 points when the two teams met in Hong Kong in November, New Zealand once again proved far too good as Tom Abercrombie and Rob Loe led the way with 18 points each last night.

The Tall Blacks were already through to round two of the qualifying process before the game and play their final firstround fixture against China in Auckland on Sunday.

Isaac Fotu (17), Finn Delany (15), Jordan Ngatai (14) and Dion Prewster (11) also got into double figures for the Tall Blacks against Hong Kong.

Fresh from taking part in minicamp with NBA team the Dallas Mavericks, point guard Shea Ili steered the home side nicely and notched a gamehigh 10 assists.

Choi Kwan Tsai and Shing Yee Fong both managed 17 points for a Hong Kong team which struggled to contain a Tall Blacks outfit with a clear size advantage.

Competing for the first time as part of the Asian region in World Cup qualifying, New Zealand claimed an impressive 8273 away win over China in February.

In the next round of qualifying, the Tall Blacks will play Jordan, Lebanon and either Syria or India — all sides which finished behind the Tall Blacks’ depleted youth brigade at last year’s Asia Cup.

Points carry over from the first stage, and the eventual three qualifiers from the aforementioned quartet all play twice against China, South Korea and the Tall Blacks. Four of those six sides qualify for the World Cup. — RNZ

PHOTO: GETTY Loe goes high . . . Tall Blacks centre Rob Loe (right) goes up to shoot against Hong Kong guard Fong Shing Yee during his side’s Fiba World Cup qualifying match in Rotorua last night. The Tall Blacks won 12465.