NZ aims to highlight links during qualifier

LIKE ANY TEAM competing in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament ( OQT) here next week, New Zealand is out to claim the solitary Summer Games slot up for grabs in the much-awaited Manila basketball event. But the Kiwis are not letting the competition stand in the way as it aims to highlight the good relations their country and the Philippines have for half a century now.

Bracketed together in Group B, the Tall Blacks and Gilas Pilipinas are to play in what could be a crucial match on July 6 with the winner advancing to the next round of the highly competitive tournament. France is the other team in the group angling to go to the Rio Games in August.

For New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan, the New Zealand- Philippines game is something they look forward to and see as being competitive.

“The Tall Blacks and Gilas have played some very competitive matches in recent years and our upcoming game will be a critical one for both teams looking to progress to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said the ambassador in a statement.

“The Tall Blacks have been competitive on the international stage for many years and basketball is a popular sport in New Zealand at the moment,” added Mr. Strachan, whose national team was coached one time by now Gilas coach Tab Baldwin.

Mr. Baldwin led the Tall Blacks to a semifinal finish in the FIBA World Championships back in 2002.

But the New Zealand ambassador said the competition and the whole tournament, which runs from July 5 to 10, is also an opportunity for his country and the Philippines to reinforce the solid relations they have built which now stands at 50 years.

“This is a great opportunity for New Zealand and the Philippines to highlight how cultural and sporting links bring Pinoys and Kiwis together,” said Mr. Strachan.

Before the Tall Blacks and Gilas meet, the New Zealand team will share its basketball skills and knowledge with children from an Aeta community through an open training session set for July 2 at the Cuneta Astrodome. The session is to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Philippines.

During the training session, 20 children from the Aeta Community in Floridablanca, Pampanga, will have an opportunity to meet the New Zealand basketball team, get some tips from the coaches and practice their skills with the players.

“July 6 is etched in our minds. This is the day of our biggest match as we set out to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games. We expect the atmosphere to be incredible and the challenge from Gilas Pilipinas to be a great one as they, too, chase a place in Rio... But we are also conscious of the need to represent our country and engage with the local community. We are pleased that we can help celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Philippines and look forward to meeting the children from the Aeta Community,” Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare said of the scheduled training session this weekend.

During the week of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, basketball fans can visit the New Zealand booth at the Global Village set up by FIBA organizers at the SM Mall of Asia parking grounds. Filipinos will have an opportunity to sample and purchase New Zealand products and win spot prizes.