Gilas Pilipinas couldn’t get going against the New Zealand Tall Blacks in their opening game of the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers, falling 106-60 at Auckland’s EventFinda Stadium on Thursday.

The Nationals struggled against the tall Kiwis despite having only an 11-man roster owing to injury.

The Filipinos were within two points early on, 9-11, but their opponents went on a 12-1 run highlighted by Taylor Britt free throws to take the advantage to double digits, 23-10.

But it was a second quarter in which New Zealand held Gilas to just eight points while scoring 24 of their own that blew the game wide open.

The Tall Blacks won from start to finish, building a margin of up to 46 points in the second half.

The Tall Blacks held Gilas to a poor shooting percentage of 33.87 percent while shooting 50.67 percent themselves.

The home squad also scored 32 points off of 19 turnovers.

Carl Tamayo led Gilas with 16 points and five rebounds.

However, Tamayo twisted his ankle early in the fourth salvo, putting him out for the rest of the game.

Dwight Ramos contributed six points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Rhenz Abando added 11 points.

Dion Prewster led the Tall Blacks in scoring with 15 points.

Gilas, which is 1-2 in Group A, will play India here in Manila on Sunday.