MANILA — Showing championship poise under pressure, Gilas Pilipinas erased a 13-point hole and silenced a partisan Bangkok crowd to beat host Thailand, 70-64, and successfully defend the Philippines’ men’s basketball gold in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday night.
A blistering 13-0 surge in the fourth quarter, sparked by Jamie Malonzo, turned the tide for Gilas after Thailand briefly grabbed the lead late, as the Filipinos leaned on defense and timely execution to close out a gritty final and extend their dominance in the regional cage wars.
The victory delivered the Philippines its second straight SEA Games men’s basketball gold and a record-extending 20th title in 23 editions, an achievement made more remarkable by a hastily assembled lineup formed under restrictive eligibility rules.
“Right now it’s No. 1 in my books,” head coach Norman Black said, ranking the hard-earned triumph alongside his championship runs in the PBA and UAAP and the Philippines’ gold-medal finish in the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.
Malonzo led the charge with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, adding three assists and five steals in a two-way performance that anchored Gilas’ comeback after a turbulent buildup marked by roster uncertainty.
Thailand’s enforcement of a ban on naturalized players and athletes who failed to secure passports before age 16 forced Gilas to retool late, tapping PBA players Robert Bolick, John Paul Erram, Dalph Panopio, Abu Tratter and Von Pessumal, along with Adamson center Cedrick Manzano and free agents Malonzo and Justin Chua.
“Di ko aakalain na mapapasama ako,” said Bolick. “Kami gusto sana namin mapanood si Remy Martin, Mike Phillips, si (Justin) Brownlee. Gusto natin makita sa Pilipinas ‘yan pero hindi nangyari dahil sa circumstances.”
“Kala nila (Thailand) kung kami lang madadali, pero naka-ready kami,” added the NLEX Road Warriors guard, who finished with 10 points. “Resilience lang, resilience lang tayo.”
Bolick helped steady Gilas early, shrugging off a blow to the face to drain key baskets that trimmed the deficit repeatedly and pulled the Filipinos to within 38-29 at halftime.
He later teamed up with Matthew Wright and Malonzo to seize control in the third quarter, as Gilas’ defense stiffened and its offense finally found rhythm, pushing the Philippines ahead, 41-38.
Thailand, powered by Chanato Jakwaran and Emmanuel Chinedu Ejesu, rallied back from a 52-48 deficit entering the final period to take a 55-54 lead, before Malonzo ignited the decisive run with a three-pointer and a driving layup that stretched the margin to 67-55 with 4:14 left.
The hosts mounted one last scare when Jainasuk Nakom converted three free throws off a Thirdy Ravena foul to pull Thailand within four, 68-64, with 47.8 seconds remaining. But Bolick’s miss was followed by Cedrick Manzano drawing a foul that sent Freddie Lish to the line — and the Thai guard’s two missed free throws effectively sealed the gold for Gilas./PN
