For the first time in Southeast Asian Games history, Gilas Men will not finish on the podium in the 3×3 tournament.
After an impressive sweep in pool play, Gilas Pilipinas could not sustain its momentum in the playoffs. The team fell to Singapore and Malaysia, missing out on a medal at the 33rd SEA Games on Thursday at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Philippines was relegated to the battle for bronze match with a narrow 20-21 loss to Singapore. Then Malaysia dashed Gilas’ aspirations of salvaging a podium finish after handing the country another slim 19-21 loss.
Entering the tournament as a strong title contender, the Nationals instead recorded their worst finish ever in SEA Games history.
Gilas had won the inaugural tournament on home soil in 2019, claimed bronze in 2021, and finished as runners-up in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
In the battle for bronze, a Joseph Eriobu two-pointer gave the Philippines a slim 12-10 lead. But Malaysia uncorked a decisive 5-1 run — punctuated by back-to-back two-pointers from Zi Fueng Chang — to take a three-point, 15-12 lead.
Malaysia maintained a three-point advantage before Gilas mounted a late rally, banking on two consecutive inside hits by Ange Kouame and Joseph Sedurifa to narrow the gap within one point, 19-20, with under 1:30 remaining to play.
However, Malaysia’s strong start proved to be insurmountable to overcome. Chun Hong Ting delivered the final blow to the Philippines’ medal aspirations, sinking the game-winning layup.
In their semifinals defeat to a youthful Singapore side, the Philippines showed signs of life. The team overcame an early four-point, 10-14 deficit en route to tying the match at 17-all behind consecutive inside hits by Kouame and Sedurifa.
However, a clutch three-point spurt by Duan Yang Xu — built on a two-pointer and a layup — sent Gilas down a precarious 18-20 hole with over two minutes left to play.
The Nationals staged one last fight as back-to-back layups by Kouame and Pasaol tied the game at 20-all. However, Liam Blakney muscled his way inside to drain the game-winning layup and book a championship clash with host team Thailand.
Before the knockout semifinals, Gilas built significant momentum after a 21-10 demolition of Laos earlier in the day to complete a Pool B sweep.
The Philippines banked on a strong 8-2 start and never looked back as a layup by Eriobu sealed Gilas’ immaculate 3-0 record in Pool B.
