Gilas Pilipinas refuse to get intimidated by NZL's trademark Haka dance #FIBAOQT @abscbnsports pic.twitter.com/PT24cdou1g — Paul Lintag (@paullintag8) July 6, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – New Zealand sports teams are known for performing the "haka" war dance ahead of its international games, and stuck to tradition when they played Gilas Pilipinas at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night.

Filipino fans at the venue had a mixed response to the Tall Blacks' "haka," however. While there were sporadic cheers, loud boos were heard as the New Zealand players performed, much to the dismay of some fans.

"Disappointed that music was played during haka. If u know NZ sports u know haka deserves more respect. Lack of coordination," tweeted Bob Guerrero, a commentator for football games on ABS-CBN Sports+Action.

ABS-CBN News contributor Rick Olivares also tweeted that the boos showed "bad form" in the part of the home fans.

The Gilas players themselves were stoic, only staring back at the Tall Blacks with their arms linked as the haka was performed.

New Zealand would go on to win the game, 89-80, to eliminate Gilas from Olympic contention.

(READ: Gilas’ Rio Olympics dream ends at hands of New Zealand)

A day later, Tai Webster – who torched the Philippines for 25 points – said the booing was simply a show of support by the home crowd for Gilas.

"I mean, different people react in different ways to it," he said. "I guess it was just their way of reacting to it, the crowd getting behind the home team and what not."

"It's expected, but you know, it is what it is," he added.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.