The short and stocky power forward display his shooting skills from the outside as he spear-headed the Tall Blacks fight back from 12 points in the fourth quarter to win 60-57.

The victory also featured a tough-as-nails defensive showing by New Zealand, who allowed Japan only four field goals over the final 20 minutes. The win also kept alive the 2002 FIBA World Championship semi-finalists' hopes of advancing from Group B.

New Zealand went 0-for-14 on three-point attempts in the first half but drained 8-of-17 the second half, in which Cameron scored 21 of his game-high 23 points.

The Tall Blacks on Thursday face Panama knowing that a victory will move them into the knock-out stages of the competition.

Cameron spent some time with FIBA, answering questions about the miracle comeback, what a loss would have meant, the return of Mark Dickel and what he expects from Thursday's decider.

FIBA: Pero, the team was absolutely horrible shooting in the first half. What happened to you guys in the second half? And what did you think of Mark Dickel hitting the game-winner?
Cameron: Just because you're missing shots doesn't mean you're taking bad shots. But it starts to play with your mind a little bit. But we knew if we had any chance to win this game we had to start hitting some of our open shots. And one of our better shooters hit the big shot in the end.

FIBA: How was New Zealand able to get back into that game?
Cameron: We got the sniff and that was enough for us to get back there slowly. We had missed some pretty easy shots in the first half. So we just needed to get one to fall.

FIBA: And how big was your first three-pointer?
Cameron: It was a relief. If you're a confident shooter, you have to keep shooting. And that's what we tried to do, trying to keep people shooting.

FIBA: It seemed like they kind of gave you a lot of room, even though you're known as some one who can hit from outside the arc. Were you surprised at all with that?
Cameron: The defender was sagging off, sort of with the mind frame, he hasn't made anything in the first three and a half games, let's see if he can hit it now. But we just kept plugging away. We all said we can't give up.

FIBA: What was the team feeling coming into the game?
Cameron: We felt bad before the game. We knew we weren't playing very well, and our performance wasn't where it should be.

FIBA: And did you think much about what it would be like being 2002 semi-finalists and not make it out of the first round?
Cameron: We were really distraught about the thought of bowing out with a game to go. We have a lot of pride. And we started thinking about the history of the team. And you have certain expectations to succeed. This is a very high level. And we think we've righted ourselves.

FIBA: Talk a bit about what it meant having Mark Dickel come back from his three-game drug offense suspension.
Cameron: Mark is the voice of our team. He helps us create a lot of turnovers. And he insipries the rest of us.

FIBA: Pero, last question, the team fought like lions to get this victory. What about tomorrow against Panama?
Cameron: Well, today's worthless if we don't win tomorrow. But we'll be ready. We'll come out blazing on defense

FIBA: Pero, thanks for your time and congratulations on an exciting victory.
Cameron: Thanks.